1 Now this is not a woe is me thread but as I have been given a platform I might as well get on my soap box! I would like to chat about the thorny issue of succession. It is just 6 years since Mum died with Dad dying just 9 months later. There was no real succession plan in place

2 Whilst an old and vague will was in place, there was no business succession plan. When Dad died he was essentially a sole trader. Nearly on day 1 all personal and business bank accounts were frozen and all capital rendered inaccessible. The unpaid bills however were very real – bei Edinvale Farm

3 The vast majority of suppliers were exceptionally understanding. Some were not but equally they are not charities and they did need paid. The bank was also very understanding and hugely supportive. However to unscramble my parents estate took 3 years – bei Edinvale Farm

4 I am very lucky in that I have a hugely supportive sister and we could openly talk about things. We could also have a relatively equitable divide of the estate. However it was a hugely stressful 3 years and there were many times I did not think the business would survive – bei Edinvale Farm

5 It took a massive toll on my mental health and it is a huge testament to the love and patience of Fiona that she put up with it and me. Running a farm business is difficult enough as it is, running it so hamstrung is almost impossible. – bei Edinvale Farm

6 So why say this. It was actually avoidable. It would not have been easy but all it would have needed in our case was a partnership agreement or a different company structure. The difficult bit would have been getting to that point and that requires a conversation, lots of them. – bei Edinvale Farm

7 I know in a lot of cases people don't want to talk about it and it requires a lot of faith. There are a lot of issues to talk about. A lot of interests. Issues of income, letting go, lifestyle, business direction, relationships and so many more. – bei Edinvale Farm

8 However none of these can be resolved without a plan and that starts with a conversation. Get off the farm, sit down without distractions, maybe have a facilitator that everyone trusts (my sister and I did this and it was brilliant), keep calm and be compassionate. – bei Edinvale Farm

9 If you are maybe in line to inherit an enterprise be cognisant that the previous generation might be worried what they are going to live off, worried what you are going to do with their hard work, worried about what they are going to do and whether they can be involved – bei Edinvale Farm

10 If you are maybe handing down, in what manner do you want that to happen?
None of this is easy but I do wish I had had the chance to try and have that conversation. I got on really well with my folks.... mostly! But we didn't get the time. Use your time

Right off my soap box! – bei Edinvale Farm