Tue 21 Oct
|Houghall Campus
Farming Families Succession Workshop
The Succession workshops aim to create a structured programme for farming families. This programme will provide expert-led support and peer discussions to assist in managing succession planning for both the family and the business.
Time & Location
21 Oct 2025, 10:30 – 13:30
Houghall Campus, East Durham College, Durham DH1 3SG
About the event
Each business / attendee is to sign up and attend both workshops (October and February).
21/10/25 - 10:30-13:30
03/02/26 - 10:30-13:30
These workshops will be built around key succession topics and led by Heather Wildman, alongside external speakers, and interactive problem-solving discussions. The goal is to encourage the families to collectively build their succession plan.
Please note, there is a minimum of 2 and maximum of 3 attendees per business registration. Name required for each attendee. Refreshments are provided.
This workshop is funded by the Durham Business Growth Programme.
Topics covered in the workshops
Understanding Your Farm’s Legacy & Vision
The role of the farm within the family.
Aspirations of all family members.
Creating a collective family vision.
Listening & Communicating Effectively
Family communication strategies.
Improving dialogue to enhance business performance and reduce conflict.
Understanding how individual values influence decision-making.
Family Meetings: Structure & Effectiveness
How to run productive family meetings.
Maximizing their value for business operations and succession planning.
Business Structures & Growth
Exploring different business structures.
How legal and financial frameworks support business continuity and development.
Retirement Planning
Defining what retirement looks like.
Managing financial sustainability.
Addressing whether retirement is an on-farm or personal cost.
Strategic Business Planning
Understanding what a strategic plan entails.
Defining roles for different generations in creating and implementing the plan.
Asset Transfer Strategies
Identifying what assets transfer, when, and to whom.
Balancing equality and equitability among family members.
The Role of In-Laws in Succession
How to involve in-laws effectively in the business.
Understanding the impact of divorce on farm succession.
Strategies to protect farm assets and future interests.
Tax Planning for Succession
Understanding current and future tax considerations.
Managing tax implications effectively within succession planning.
Evolving Roles & Responsibilities
o Transitioning leadership and management responsibilities.
o Clarifying expectations for different family members.
o Addressing challenges, such as whether the senior generation needs to fully step away from the farm.
Maximizing Performance During Transition
o Enhancing business efficiency and family unity during change.
o Managing risk and ensuring a successful succession process.