Delegates from all over the world have been attending a course organised through Duchy College at Stoke Climsland.

The Challenge of Rural Leadership course is now in its 22nd year.

 Managed by the Rural Business School (RBS) at Duchy College on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, delegates went to Dartington Hall in Devon to undertake the intensive programme.

They have returned to their businesses with new-found confidence and skills to enable them to thrive in an ever-changing agricultural industry, according to Director of RBS, Richard Soffe.

He said: ‘It was great to work with another outstanding group of international, high potential managers on the Challenge of Rural Leadership this year, as well as using Riverford Organics as a local case study,’ he explained.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers has a new chair of education, Karen Mercer, who, along with the retiring chair Mike Rowe and the Master, Julian Sayers, joined the course for several sessions.

Two Nuffield scholars from Australia were in attendance, along with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, and the President of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster.

The first week of the course formed a case study which focused on a local business. The delegates visited early in the week and had an overview of every process which currently makes the business work.

During the second week the focus turns to the individual. There were sessions on psychometrics, the media, time-management and how to present yourself under scrutiny.

There were also more guest speakers, such as the President of the NFU, MPs and also a military commander, all of whom brought a unique perspective on their own paths to leadership.

Nuffield Australia delegate Bernadette Mortensen, said: ‘I had high expectations for the course and my expectations have not only been met, they have been surpassed.’

 President YFC Clubs Ulster, James Speers, said: ‘It was an invaluable experience I will never forget.’

 The application process for next year’s 23rd course has reopened on the Rural Business School website, ruralbusinessschool.ac.uk