Career Profile: Agricultural valuer

Land agents apply their professional expertise to help their clients achieve the best value, whether it’s for the sale or purchase of property, letting of a farm, dwelling or commercial premises, negotiating compensation following utility works, securing finance for rural investment, implementing a diversification project or providing strategic business advice.

An agricultural valuer can be a specialist but may advise on a wide range of areas. They will become trusted advisers to many farmers and landowners, given their professionalism, practicality and ability to see the whole business.

Valuers can tackle issues such as succession, renewables projects, taxation, environmental appraisals, machinery valuation, compulsory purchases and infrastructure projects. They can then work with other professionals – such as lawyers, auctioneers, accountants, ecologists and planners – to achieve the best outcomes for the client.

An agricultural valuer is a natural problem solver with excellent communication and intra-personal skills. They develop long-term relationships with clients and are involved in making critical decisions that have long-term effects on the businesses they advise.

The role requires both a degree (full-time or apprenticeship) and achievement of professional qualifications in work.

With this area of work growing, the profession needs more people to meet the demand for the services of these specialist advisers. The profession is looking for new entrants and second career seekers with diverse outlooks and experiences. A strong interest in the future of the nation’s rural environment and economy is a must. A good agricultural valuer will thrive when faced with variety, challenge and change.

Agricultural valuers may work in different ways. Large estates may solely employ some to provide planning and advice on long-term strategies or a single employer, such as a utility company or an environmental charity. Others may be employed by firms that provide services to a portfolio of clients.

All new entrants to the role will require at least two years of experience before taking their exams/further qualifications. From there, it’s possible to gain experience and progress to become a partner in a firm. You might also consider working in government, the utilities or with charities, and you could branch off to become an independent adviser or be employed by a large private estate or farm business.