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Louis Clabburn
Farming is in my blood. Our family farm was started by my entrepreneurial granny, who was always good at negotiations particularly at the livestock markets.
From farming to the Big Apple
My first job was helping in my family’s turkey hatchery, or delivering poults around the country in our transit van.
Seeing pressure on the fresh meat industry in the 90’s, I decided it was sensible to move along the supply chain and completed a degree in food marketing business studies at Harper Adams. I was fortunate to go on a fascinating study tour of five countries in south east Asia to look at food and farming practices.
Although I was unable to get onto a graduate training programme with the UK major supermarkets, I was passionate about sales. I worked in London for a company selling IT consultancy services to the major banks and media companies. This took me to Manhattan, New York for 18 months until my work visa (or rather the lack of it!) meant I had to return.
I found myself back in Norfolk and my next challenge was back at our old farm office helping my brother set up from scratch and run Liftshare.com, now the UK’s largest, multi-award winning, carsharing network employing 25 people based in Norwich.
My AF journey so far
I joined AF in late 2011, and by 2014 had taken over the running of AF Affinity. Under my leadership, turnover grew from £4 million to £14 million. I’m excited to see how Affinity has developed and has a strong future ahead with the recent launch of www.affinityfuels.co.uk.
Now as Head of Member Services my challenge is to ensure every Member is making the most of their membership, that their account is being serviced efficiently and that everyone has value beyond just price. Ultimately, we are here to help all our Member businesses operate as efficiently as possible.
I know we have work to do to improve but your Member Services team is relishing the increased opportunity to support, speak to and meet with our Members in 2024.
In the past 12 months nearly 60 new businesses have joined AF, mostly because of a recommendation from one of you. That’s a figure we’re extremely proud of.
Keeping it in the family
Living close to my in-laws’ arable and livestock farm means I see just how hard the farming community works, and how important their role as custodians of the land is. I hope that post-Brexit we get the balance right between growing British food, off-setting carbon, farming regeneratively and ensuring the best talent stays in the farming industry.
My wife works for a local clothing company www.carriercompany.co.uk. We have three children, each with different interests, so down time for me is rare. I try to keep fit by running and cycling, and on Sunday mornings throughout winter I coach rugby at Holt RFC.
Supporting grass roots sports is so vital to keep it going for children today. The traditional values of rugby and similar team sports is something that really resonates with me and like rugby, your AF co-operative is like a very big team and all the better and stronger when we all work together.
If I can help you, or you know a business that would like to join AF, I’d love to hear from you.
Louis Clabburn Head of Member Services
louis.clabburn@af.farm 01603 881 838
