About Us

AKC is an independent partnership owned and operated by Simon Bennett, Robert Loxton & Jenna Copp

Simon became managing partner in 2016, Robert manages various farming businesses whilst Jenna joined the partnership in 2017 after having successfully completed 10 years within the AKC consultancy team

Based in Erlestoke near Devizes we offer a professional, confidential and personalised service to farming & agricultural businesses across the South of England. Our consultants are experienced in all aspects of arable, dairy, crop and livestock.

Formed by Lord Denis Carter in 1957 AKC was established to provide a comprehensive costings & business advice service for a group of farm businesses in Wiltshire and Hampshire. Over the years AKC has evolved and expanded its range of services to meet the changing needs of clients. At the heart of our team remains a dedication to provide high quality farm business consultancy & management account information. These remain valuable services to many of our longstanding clients.

Consultants

Simon Bennett

Managing Partner

BSc (Hons) Agriculture/ MBIAC

A farmer’s son growing up on an 800 acre dairy and arable farm in North Wiltshire, Simon joined AKC in 1999, leaving in 2002. Having spent time farming and working in accounts software he returned to AKC in 2006 and joined the partnership in 2008. Simon provides business advice to farmers in all sectors including financial budgeting, strategic plans and reviews along with Basic Payment/ Grant advice and diversification. In 2016, Simon became Managing Partner of AKC

simon.bennett@akcagric.co.uk

Jenna Copp

Partner

BSc (Hons) Agricultural Business Management/ MBIAC

After graduating from Reading University in 2007 Jenna joined AKC becoming a partner in 2017. Jenna provides business and financial advice, as well as being involved with Environmental schemes, Basic Payment and grant applications for a wide range of rural businesses. Jenna works with a variety of farming businesses and is well versed in dealing with stakeholders within both large estates and family farms

Outside of work Jenna is a committee member of Wiltshire Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution charity and a partner in the family farming business

jenna.copp@akcagric.co.uk

Robert Loxton

Partner

Robert combines extensive practical farming experience with a qualification in accountancy to provide farm management and advice. He has been managing farms on behalf of private owners and farming companies for the past thirty years. Robert also runs his own 800 acre farming business in Oxfordshire.

robloxton@aol.com

James Berry

Consultant

FdSc Agriculture with Land & Farm Management/ P. Agric (IAGM)/ FACTS

James moved to AKC in 2016. His background is in the dairy and livestock industries. James provides strategic and financial advice as well as providing a bespoke nutrition and dairy technical service. His key skills are business strategy, nutrition, financial budgeting and cross compliance. James is originally from a dairy farming background in the south west

james.berry@akcagric.co.uk

Peter Ridout

Consultant

BSc (Hons) Agriculture/ MBIAC

Peter joined AKC in 1973, having worked for the Milk Marketing Board costing service. Since then he has been providing accounting and consultancy services to a range of farming businesses. Peter is a consultant within the business. A farmer’s son from Somerset, he has extensive knowledge of all main agricultural sectors. Peter is a former graduate of Harper Adams College, and also a past chairman of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants

peter.ridout@akcagric.co.uk

Accountants

Helen Bennett

Accountant

MAAT (Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians)

Helen joined AKC in 1993 and has over 20 years of experience in producing detailed costed management, financial and contract farm accounts. Helen looks after a mixed portfolio of farming and estates clients and is also able to assist with bookkeeping advice for a range of accounting systems.

helen.bennett@akcagric.co.uk

Ann Strange

Accountant

MAAT (Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians)

Ann joined AKC in 2006, she has 40 years accountancy and bookkeeping experience across a variety of industries working in both private practice and industry. Ann spent 17 years as an accountant within the dairy processing industry before joining AKC.

ann.strange@akcagric.co.uk

Camilla Gray

Accountant

MAAT (Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians)

ACCA (Member of the Association of Chartered & Certified Accountants)

Camilla joined AKC in 2022, she has previously worked on a rural estate in Wiltshire doing the accounts for a 1,755 hectares arable and beef farm, also specialising in property management.

Camillas skills are management accounts, budget forecasting, cashflow analysis, rent collection and bookkeeping operations. Also not bad with a shotgun!

camilla.gray@akcagric.co.uk

Payroll

Lorraine Pearce

Payroll Manager

Lorraine is our Payroll Manager and has 40 years experience in payroll and HR. Throughout Lorraine's time in the business an increasing number of diverse clients have joined the payroll department including charities, catering outlets and local businesses, alongside agricultural clients

lorraine.pearce@akcpayroll.co.uk