About Us

About Us

AKC has expanded and developed to work with a range of agricultural & commercial clients. In 2017 we celebrated our 60th year.

About Us

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

Simon became managing partner in 2016, Robert manages various farming businesses whilst Peter has been involved in agricultural consultancy and management for over 40 years. Jenna Copp joined the partnership in 2017 after having successfully completed 10 years within the AKC consultancy team

Based in Devizes Marketplace 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

Peter Ridout

Partner

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 senior partner 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

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

jenna.copp@akcagric.co.uk

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

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

Richard Tustian

Consultant

Richard has extensive farming experience having managed dairy, beef, arable and sheep farms in Kent, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire for over thirty years. He also took his degree at Reading University followed by a post-graduate Farm Business Diploma at Wye College. Richard now runs the family farm in Oxfordshire and is heavily involved in the local farming community. Richard was chairman of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants from 2005 to 2007.

tustianrichard@gmail.com

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

Haylea Horn

Assistant Accountant

Haylea joins our accounting team from Knorr-Bremse, where she was previously working on intercompany accounting. She began her journey specifically in auditing in 2012 and was lucky enough to work for large companies within the Leisure industry such as Travelodge and Jet2. She then followed this with a role at West Yorkshire Playhouse which enabled her to experience both business and charity accounting. In her most recent roles Haylea worked for Muller where she was working within Credit Control. Haylea has a variety of experience within accounts and has used a variety of accounting systems, whilst currently studying CIMA and plans to complete the whole qualification while working for AKC.

haylea.horn@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

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@akcbusiness.co.uk

Helen Wright

Payroll Administrator

BSc (Hons) Rural Land Management

Helen joined AKC in 2010. A local dairy farmer’s daughter, Helen enjoys the variety payroll can offer whilst balancing her part -time work alongside her family business

helen.wright@akcbusiness.co.uk

Carol Neal

Payroll

Carol Neal is a full time payroll team member. Carol has over 30 years’ experience in payroll and we are excited to have her on board the AKC team.

payroll@akcpayroll.co.uk

Fiona Skevington

Payroll and Bookkeeping
fiona.skevington@akcagric.co.uk

Admin Team

Melinda Stevens

Melinda joined AKC in 1986. Melinda is responsible for all administration and secretarial duties plus book-keeping on a remote basis for selected clients.

melinda.stevens@akcagric.co.uk