John Giffard of Chillington Hall has been elected as the CLA’s Staffordshire Branch Chairman.
Chillington Hall has been in the Giffard family for over 800 years and John is not the first member of his family to hold office in the CLA – his father was National President in the 1980s.
Commenting on his election, Mr Giffard said: “Like many others, I have grown up with the CLA, knowing that I can rely on its lobbying on behalf of landowners, farmers and rural businesses and being able to take advice on a range of issues from its team of professional advisers. On the estate farms we have sheep, cattle and arable as well as woodland and a range of rural businesses, so we have been able to benefit from membership across all sectors.
“Like the estate, the CLA has evolved over the years and recent developments have seen the Association become even more relevant and provide greater value to its membership. I am therefore delighted to take on the challenge of Branch Chairman for Staffordshire CLA and look forward to continuing to the good work done under our previous Chairman Ben Duncan.
Mr Giffard farms over 2000 acres on the estate, with a similar area encompassing a range of tenant farms and woodland. The Hall is also a venue for weddings and corporate events, as well as being open to the public on occasions.
Also elected as Vice Chairman to CLA Staffordshire Committee is agricultural solicitor Sarah Baugh, of FBC Manby Bowdler LLP.
