Best Chris Biddle Podcasts (2025)

1
FAREWELL 2024: Selection of ear-catching moments 26:29

4M ago26:29

26:29

In this festive episode of 'Inside Agri-Turf', I recap highlights from recent episodes. This is episode 135, and I thank all those who tune in and listen to a stellar line-up of guests in increasing numbers, and to all guests over the past five years, thank you for your contributions, wisdom and experiences. The podcast will return towards the end …

1
SELLER AND BUYER featuring Martin Hamer, tractor salesman - and farmer 39:50

5M ago39:50

39:50

"I don't want to upset farmers who buy my tractors - or butchers who buy my beef cattle" A view from both sides of fence on the current farmers stand-off with the Government over inheritance tax from Martin Hamer, National Sales Manager for AGCO's Fendt tractor brand - and a farmer himself and active member of the National Farmers Union. Martin sha…

1
SPENDING AND SUPPORTING (Part One) with Stephen Howarth and Jane Craigie 39:18

5M ago39:18

39:18

Chris discusses the ongoing standoff between the farming community and the UK government over inheritance tax and its potential impact on British food production. Guests Stephen Howarth, an agricultural economist, and Jane Craigie, a leading agri-food marketeer, share insights on current market trends, the effect on tractor and machinery registrati…

1
FARMERS AND THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA with Anna Jones (Rewind) 43:20

5M ago43:20

43:20

In this rewind of an episode published in January 2023, Chris talks with Anna Jones, a journalist and founder of Just Farmers. Anna discusses her background, growing up on a family farm on the Welsh border and her career in journalism, including working on the BBC's Countryfile. The conversation explores her motivations behind founding Just Farmers…

1
PUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHT with David Kirschner (Part Two) 35:24

6M ago35:24

35:24

Chris Biddle continues his conversation with David Kirschner, who discusses the challenges of promoting this niche yet crucial industry and the steps taken to secure better funding for apprentices. He details a critical meeting at Pershore College in 2018 where he outlined the industry's needs, reflecting on the progress made despite initial fundin…

1
SELLING TRACTORS LIKE SWEETIES: In conversation with David Kirschner (Part One) 37:38

6M ago37:38

37:38

In this two-part episode, Chris is in conversation with David Kirschner, a seasoned agricultural engineer and consultant in the land-based engineering industry. David shares his extensive experience, from his early career as an apprentice in tractor servicing to influential roles with several tractor brands including Massey Ferguson, Renault and Fe…

1
FROM PLANES TO POWER TOOLS with Mark Earles, AEA President 41:15

6M ago41:15

41:15

Chris Biddle welcomes Mark Earles of Makita UK, the President of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), to Inside Agri-Turf, where they delve deep into the intricacies of the agricultural engineering sector. The conversation begins with a reflection on how the industry has evolved over the years, particularly in light of recent challenges an…

1
' MOST EXCITING TIME TO BE AN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER' with Dr Mark Moore 41:03

6M ago41:03

41:03

Dr Mark Moore, the Director of Government Affairs for AGCO Corporation in Europe and President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) shares his inspiring journey from a modest academic background to a key position with a global farm machinery corporation. He discusses the critical role agricultural engineers play in addressing the ch…

1
SALTEX: A Professional Showcase with Geoff Webb 37:37

7M ago37:37

37:37

Chris Biddle is in conversation with Geoff Webb, the Chief Executive of the Grounds Management Exhibition (GMA). The episode spotlights the GMA's upcoming SALTEX trade exhibition, highlighting its significance to the turf management industry. First, they pay tribute to Derek Walder, rightly referred to as Mr SALTEX. Now in his late 80s, Derek is re…

1
VIEWS FROM THE LONG GRASS: Showtime or Showdown? with Keith Christian 36:39

7M ago36:39

36:39

In this 'Views from the Long Grass' feature, Chris and Keith Christian discuss the proliferation of turfcare shows such as SALTEX, BTME and now Groundsfest and ask whether this is overkill for a small industry. Keith shares his experiences from decades in the sector, including memorable moments and insights into what makes an effective trade show. …

1
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Stihl Revisited featuring Robin Lennie 34:56

8M ago34:56

34:56

Chris Biddle revisits a 2020 interview with Robin Lennie, former Managing Director at Stihl GB recorded during COVID-19 restrictions. The conversation highlights Robin’s 30 year career, Stihl's business growth, and the impact of the pandemic on his retirement plans. It also explores the dynamics between manufacturers and dealers, especially relatin…

1
IT'S BACK! Preview of Season 5 21:33

8M ago21:33

21:33

Chris Biddle announces the comeback of his podcast, Inside Agri-Turf, after a summer break. He reflects on his extensive career in the land-based engineering industry and expresses his passion for sharing stories and insights about farm and grass machinery, and introduces new podcast features, such as 'A View from the Long Grass' and 'What Happened…

1
AGRI-TURF AGENDA FEBRUARY 2024: End of the line for Tom, Dick and Harry? 23:59

1y ago23:59

23:59

This is the first of a series of monthly episodes called AGRI-TURF AGENDA, an audio magazine with some of the current news stories of interest or relevance to the land-based engineering community. This February 2024 issue carries the news of the collapse of the Small Robot Company. Whether small scale could be better than big scale farm autonomy fe…

1
THE MEDIA: FRIEND OR FOE? with Andrew Harvey (former BBC TV/ITN news presenter) 48:23

1+ y ago48:23

48:23

What is the media today? It used to be newspapers or magazines - or broadcast media, television and radio. Today, anyone can be a ‘journalist’ spreading news, views, comment and opinion through social media – that is largely unrestricted and unregulated. To help me answer that question, I’m delighted to be joined by Andrew Harvey for 30 years a mai…

1
WHAT IS AGRI-TECH PSYCHOTHERAPY? with Dan Schultz 44:11

1+ y ago44:11

44:11

Dan Schultz describes himself as an agribusiness psychotherapist - an eye catching description if there ever was one Without the need for a ‘patients’ couch, Dan helps agri-tech companies around the world think differently about how they market and commercialise their products for this new software driven age. He says that the evolution of agricult…

1
IN THE MIX 2: Women in Land-based Engineering - their stories 43:27

1+ y ago43:27

43:27

I've taken extracts from Inside Agri-Turf episodes over the past four years, featuring some of the women who have successfully carved a career in land-based engineering so helping to counter the image of it being a male dominated profession. The episode includes a tribute to the late Caroline Drummond MBE, the driving force behind LEAF who died in …

1
IN THE MIX 1: featuring Ruth Bailey, Keith Christian, Jeremy Gibbs, Will Foster, Andrew Findley and Keith Kent 38:36

1+ y ago38:36

38:36

Today I'm introducing a new show IN THE MIX. During the past three year over 120 guests have featured on the Inside Agri-Turf podcast. All have had tales to tell, advice to pass on and experiences to relate that are relevant to those working in this extraordinary land-based engineering industry. Tucked away in our back-catalogue are some wonderful …

1
SHARING START-UP SUCCESS with Ollie Austen 23:20

1+ y ago23:20

23:20

Small businesses (SMEs) are the heartbeat of the UK economy with almost 400,00 founded each year by those with a desire to follow their dream. But who supports the founders? In this episode I talk to Ollie Austen, co-founder of the peer-to-peer networking group Start-up2standup. Started in 2020, the group is tailored exclusively for start-up founde…

1
RETENTION: BEYOND THE SALARY with Paul Harris 28:15

1+ y ago28:15

28:15

In the first of a two-part episode on staffing, PAUL HARRIS of Real Success Ltd provided down-to-earth and practical advice on RECRUITING the right staff. He advised employers not to panic when faced with sudden staffing needs. Careful planning is necessary to identify likely candidates, leading to crafting an offer of employment - with legal oblig…

1
RECRUITING? DON'T PANIC! with Paul Harris 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

Possibly the biggest challenge facing businesses today is recruiting the most suitable staff, and then taking every step necessary to ensure that they stay in the company or organisation. In a two-part episode on Recruitment and Retention, I talk to Paul Harris, the founder of Real Success Ltd, a company specialising in meeting the staffing require…

1
THE ROAD TO RESILIENCE with Andrew Findley 30:47

1+ y ago30:47

30:47

Andrew Findley is an experienced competitor in ultra endurance running events ranging from 200 km races in the 50 degree heat of the Sahara to a 300 km race across the French Alps in the biting cold - whilst climbing the equivalent of Everest three times. The quality that all competitors need in such events is resilience – which can simply be summe…

1
THE ART OF THE SALES CONVERSATION (Part Two) with St John Craner 36:59

1+ y ago36:59

36:59

In this episode, St John Craner, connects the two important elements of The Art of the Sales Conversation, that of listening, and then asking the right questions at the right time and in the right way. He says "I think it's really important that if you want to succeed in sales, you need to be a student of psychology. You need to get curious and stu…

1
COUNTAX: BEGINNING AND END OF A BRAND with Chris Biddle and Harry Handkammer 39:14

1+ y ago39:14

39:14

AriensCo, the US parent company of British lawn tractor maker, Countax have announced that the production of both Countax and Westwood tractors at Great Haseley in Oxfordshire will cease by the end of 2023 –the Great Haseley site will be used as a sales and service operation for the home market only. The Ariens statement suggests that there is no f…

1
COMPLAINTS INTO COMPLIMENTS with Dan Pratt 28:56

1+ y ago28:56

28:56

In the first part of his series of The Customer is always Right, Dan Pratt, founder of DAP Consultancy talked about different types of customers, their behaviour, and ways of successfully diffusing difficult situations. In this episode Dan says that receiving a complaint should often be looked at as a positive business opportunity – and at relative…

1
ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL with Anna Eccleston, Richard Charles and Daniel Fasham 37:00

1+ y ago37:00

37:00

The recent New Scientist Live event in London, provided the farming and food producing industry with a wonderful opportunity to present its credentials to a largely non-rural audience - and to children. Reflecting on the event and the ‘terrifyingly insightful questions’, are Anna Eccleston, Commercial Director for the Farmers Weekly, Richard Charle…

1
THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT? (Part 1) with Dan Pratt 28:50

1+ y ago28:50

28:50

'The Customer is Always Right' was a mantra instilled into staff by Gordon Selfridge when he opened his landmark London department store in the early 1990s. Does that still hold true for businesses in the 21st century? Dan Pratt, founder of a customer experience agency DAP Consultancy says "Yes . .except when they are wrong!" Dan has worked in cust…

1
THE ART OF THE SALES CONVERSATION (Part One) with St John Craner 30:10

1+ y ago30:10

30:10

The first episode of The Agri-Turf Academy Show, a new podcast to complement the Inside Agri-Turf shows which have notched up over 10,000 downloads and featured more than 100 guests from across the land-based engineering sector. This opening episode, The Art of the Sales Conversation (Part One) is delivered by St John Craner, (pronounced Sinjin) fo…

1
ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW PODCAST SHOW with Chris Biddle 10:38

1+ y ago10:38

10:38

To complement this Inside Agri-Turf podcast, I am delighted to announce the creation of a new show. The Agri-Turf Academy will focus on people not products. It will publish episodes of relevance to anyone working in, or associated with, the land-based engineering sector featuring advice and tips on sales and marketing, customer relations, recruitme…

1
FARMING COLLECTIVE AT NEW SCIENTIST LIVE with Anna Eccleston (Farmers Weekly) and Kit Franklin (Harper Adams University) 37:28

1+ y ago37:28

37:28

Described as the World’s Greatest Festival of Ideas and Discoveries, New Scientist Live (NSL) will this year have Farming and Food Production as its largest feature. The 2023 edition of NSL will be held from 7-9 October at ExCel London. The talks and hands-on visitor experiences featuring the innovative and ground-breaking ways that food is produce…

1
AI: YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS with Wesley Baker 39:05

1+ y ago39:05

39:05

"The greatest thing since the Industrial revolution" are amongst the opening words by Wesley Baker, Founder and CEO of Canterbury AI. In this podcast, Wesley provides an overview of the likely impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have on us all in clear and no-nonsense language. AI is not here to take jobs, if it does, they will be replace…

1
DEALERSHIP DISSECTOLOGY with David Hart 26:02

1+ y ago26:02

26:02

This episode is another in a series I'm calling The Franchise Jigsaw. And who knew that the collective name for a jigsaw enthusiast is a dissectologist? My guest is David Hart, Managing Director of Kubota UK and President Business Transformation Kubota Europe BV. As the consolidation of the UK farm machinery dealers network continues, so companies …

1
TOP RANKING DEALERS with Peter Hill 29:46

1+ y ago29:46

29:46

A year after first publishing a comprehensive listing of the UK's Biggest Farming Dealers ranked by turnover exclusively for the Farmers Weekly, I catch up again with freelance agricultural journalist Peter Hill to deep dive his latest report.. The original report published in 2022 was based on dealers' financials for 2020, the latest published a f…

1
PREVIEW SEASON 4 19:57

1+ y ago19:57

19:57

After a summer break, Inside Agri-Turf podcast returns for the Autumn, Winter, Spring season. Here are excerpts of episodes already recorded and news of an exciting addition for the Agri-Turf community. Forthcoming episodes are: 24 August 2023: THE FRANCHISE JIGSAW 1: Featuring freelance agricultural journalist Peter Hill talking about his publishe…

1
QUESTION TIME with Aidan, Aileen and Aimee 27:28

2y ago27:28

27:28

How would Aidan, Aileen and Aimee - the clue lies in the first two letters of each name – describe the attractions of land-based engineering? I have produced this episode using ChatGPT, posing questions, refining the text responses, using the read-aloud feature, allocating appropriate voices and recording for this podcast. You cannot edit the text …

1
ON A ROLL with Richard Robinson and Gary Barwell (Republished) 28:19

2y ago28:19

28:19

PODCAST produced on behalf of Autoguide Ltd, first published January 2022 - moved to Inside Agri-Turf channel to centralise all published episodes (May 2023) A familiar sight at cricket grounds around the world, the Auto-Roller manufactured by Autoguide Equipment Ltd, reached its century in 2021. Hand-built by craftsmen at the company's Wiltshire f…

1
EPISODE 100: FULL CIRCLE with Keith Christian 1:02:17

2y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

This week, I’m proud to be publishing the 100th episode of Inside Agri-turf podcast, talking to my special guest Keith Christian, the recently retired Director of BAGMA about his remarkable career which including heading both trade associations for manufacturers and dealers. Keith started life working in banking, but soon ‘found’ the garden machine…

1
WHAT THREE WORDS? with Ruth Bailey and Gareth Ford 33:16

2y ago33:16

33:16

The Agri-Turf machinery industry has long wrestled with finding a readily understood definition of what it is and what it does - and what three words best sum up its attraction? Officially categorised as Land-based Engineering, the challenge for those recruiting is to catch the eye and capture the interest of potential new employees in around 5 sec…

1
PLANTING THE SEEDS with Ken Smyth 34:53

2y ago34:53

34:53

From an apprentice himself, Ken Smyth is to today general service manager at leading dealership Ernest Doe Ltd, overseeing the service departments and transport fleet at Doe's 19 branches with 180 technicians and over 160 vehicles. He has overall responsibility for the company’s service provision for agricultural machinery, construction equipment, …

1
THE BUSINESS OF BUYING AND SELLING with Jerry Hanss 31:18

2y ago31:18

31:18

Is there enough collaboration and discussion between suppliers and their dealers about business management and maximising sales and service opportunities? They are, or should be, business partners with common aims, but the relationship rarely goes beyond the order book. To discuss, I'm joined by Jerry Hanss who has extensive experience in establish…

1
APP-LAUDED with Will Dunn, Founder of Ag-drive 28:32

2y ago28:32

28:32

Young agri-tech entrepreneur, Will Dunn, talks about his new innovative app, Ag-drive, which was born out of practical farming experience – and resulted in him winning the top innovation award at the recent LAMMA show. Ag-drive is a cloud-based app for agricultural contractors and farmers to help manage the business, from job planning through to co…

1
RE-IMAGINING LITTLE GREY FERGIE with Campbell Scott 36:57

2y ago36:57

36:57

Campbell Scott spent over 30 years with Massey Ferguson and was Director Marketing Services AGCO EAME Region Massey Ferguson brand when he left in 2018. Last year, he founded Atomic Tractors, a company focussed on developing zero-emission power units for tractors, working on hybrid versions utilising hydrogen power cells and battery. A devotee of t…

1
PITCHES, POLO and PILOTING with John Ledwidge MBA 41:16

2y ago41:16

41:16

IN his early days, John Ledwidge loved football, and in particular Coventry City FC, but didn't know what a groundsman was - or did. Today John is Head of Sports Turf and Grounds at Premier side Leicester City with a role that not only encompasses overseeing the preparation of pitches at the King Power Stadium and Seagrave training ground, but also…

1
AGRI-TURF TALKS No 7: FEELING OK? LET'S CHAT 36:06

2y ago36:06

36:06

The second of our Agri-Turf Talks panel episode of 2023 focusses on mental health and well-being challenges facing the agricultural and turfcare industries. Our panel is: ALEX PHILLIMORE Head of Communications and Development with The Farming CommunityNetwork (FCN), a charity supporting farmers and farming families which helps approx. 6000 people e…

1
AGRI-TURF TALKS No 6: ALL WOMEN PANEL 40:55

2y ago40:55

40:55

This is the latest in the series of Agri-Turf Talks panel discussions first launched in 2020 which has previously featured topics such as The Future of the Dealership, Agricultural Engineering and the Environment, Challenges of Recruitment and Combatting Supply Issues This episode features an all-women panel discussing career opportunities in an in…

1
CLONTARF TO WORLD CUP with Karl McDermott 32:01

2y ago32:01

32:01

A special episode for me as I celebrate 60 years as a member of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the most famous active cricket in the world and guardian of the laws of the game. To mark this milestone I’m joined by Karl McDermott, MCC Head Groundman responsible for the upkeep and preparation of the pitches and outfield at Lord's Cricket Ground, …

1
FAMILY PLANNING with Heather Wildman 37:53

2+ y ago37:53

37:53

Succession planning for small family businesses can never start early enough says Heather Wildman. With over 26 years' experience of working with both farmers and industry, Heather, who runs Saviour Associates, has faced many instances of families struggling to agree how their business enterprise should move forward Succession will inevitably happe…

1
CROSSING THE DIVIDE with Anna Jones 46:38

2+ y ago46:38

46:38

In 2018, Anna Jones set up a group called Just Farmers to establish a network of farmers who could respond to enquiries from the media in an honest, straightforward and no-nonsense way – eliminating jargon that might be unfamiliar to journalists and the general public. Anna has also written a book, Divide, in which tries to make sense of the fragil…

1
THE PROBLEM WITH RURAL SALES - IS SELLING with St John Craner 57:09

2+ y ago57:09

57:09

For this first episode of the 2023 season, we head down-under to New Zealand where I catch with St John Craner, an Essex boy, who now runs a successful sales training company for agribusiness clients across New Zealand, Australia and the US. He is also the host of the Rural Sales Show podcast produced out of his offices near Napier on the east coas…

1
2022 REFLECTIONS, 2023 IN VIEW 51:52

2+ y ago51:52

51:52

The 2023 season of Inside Agri-Turf kicks off shortly with a fascinating episode about the psychology of selling to farmers with St John Craner, founder of Agrarian NZ and host of the Rural Sales Show podcast in New Zealand Beforehand though here are some extracts from recent episodes that illustrates the can-do attitude that pervades our industry.…

1
2022: AN 'ODD' YEAR with David Withers and Peter Arrand 39:25

2+ y ago39:25

39:25

REVIEWING the past 12 months are David Withers, President of AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) representing manufacturers and suppliers and Peter Arrand, President of BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) representing the dealer trade. Both Associations, are now housed under the same roof following AEA’s acquisition o…

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Chris Biddle Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen