Herefordshire businessman Charles Mayson has been shortlisted in a prestigious competition seeking the nation’s best farm adviser.
Charles, who founded Lyonshall-based CXCS, was named today (June 14) as a finalist in the ‘Livestock Adviser of the Year’ category of the Farmers Weekly Awards 2019.
Charles now faces a visit from a team of expert judges as he goes head-to-head with two other leading advisers, ahead of the winner being announced in October.
“Reaching the final three is a great honour for me, but my shortlisting is testimony to the hard work and talent of the whole CXCS team,” says Charles.
He launched CXCS – a firm of consultants helping farmers comply with legislation – 10 years ago “with a notebook and an idea” and it now employs about 25 people and has an annual turnover of about £1m.
“Farmers are faced with a huge number of regulations, so we make sure they meet all the rules and that they keep all the necessary records,” he explains. “Basically, we look after the paperwork so they can concentrate on what they do best – farming.”
Charles is well known to the rural and business community in Herefordshire and the surrounding counties, having previously run his own fertiliser sales company. He works with clients across the nation, from his base in a converted barn on a fruit farm.
“Building a business has been immensely hard work, but I wouldn’t change a single thing,” says Charles. “One of the biggest joys is having the chance to employ local people and to work with dynamic farmers who do such an amazing job of feeding the nation and looking after our countryside.”
Charles says his recipe for success is “giving 100% accurate advice plus offering fantastic value for money”.
“I wanted to work in farming ever since I first came to visit a relative on a farm in Herefordshire when I was a boy. I’m so lucky to have had the chance to have followed my dream.
“The Farmers Weekly Awards really are the Oscars of the farming industry, so it would be amazing if I could take home one of the coveted yellow trophies,” says Charles.
“I’m up against some strong competition, but I’m really proud of what we’ve all achieved at CXCS, so hopefully I’ll be able to convey our achievements to the judges and bring this one home for Herefordshire!”
Now in their 15th year, the Farmers Weekly Awards celebrate the very best of British farming by recognising and rewarding innovation, hard work and passion. They are the most established awards in the agriculture industry and span 14 categories.
