The ‘Clarkson Effect’ and What It Means for Rural Businesses

By Sarah Tyson, Partner at Bell Ingram

If you had told me five years ago that a TV personality would do more to shine a spotlight on rural land management careers than decades of industry outreach, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. And yet, here we are, living in the middle of what I like to call the Clarkson Effect.

Jeremy Clarkson’s foray into farming may have been made for entertainment, but its impact is very real. At the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Cirencester, applications for rural land management courses have risen sharply in the past year. Their three-year BSc has seen an 11% increase, the same course with a farm placement is up 18%, and their two-year rural land management degree has climbed by 14%. While agricultural course numbers remain steady, it’s rural land management that is really grabbing attention.

Everyone knows Cheerful Charlie, Clarkson’s land agent, and when I explain what I do, people are now relating to it more immediately than at any time in the past.

The enthusiasm of our graduate trainees is also on the up as I saw when we had our recent training session, but the first step is to get on the college course or make the phone call to enquire about a job

Full on farming takes enormous time, commitment, and investment (and sadly, Amazon isn’t bankrolling everyone). But the wider rural economy is full of equally rewarding career paths. From managing estates and negotiating pylon routes through farmland to carrying out valuations that help families pass their farms to the next generation, these are real-world jobs with real-world impact. They involve meeting people, solving problems, and helping rural businesses thrive.

That’s why Bell Ingram invests in early careers. Our graduate programme supports students as they progress through their professional exams to become chartered surveyors. For those still studying we also offer on-the-job apprenticeships and traineeships And for those looking to change career – it’s never too late. What matters is the passion to learn, expand your depth of rural knowledge, and the willingness to get stuck in.

So yes, Clarkson may be the unlikely ambassador for our profession, but if his influence inspires the next generation of rural professionals, then long may the Clarkson Effect continue. The future of all our rural businesses depends on it.

For more information on Early Careers at Bell Ingram visit: bellingram.co.uk/early-careers/