An Essex and Cambridgeshire farmer has become the new president of landowners’ lobby group the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Tim Breitmeyer farms 1,600 acres at the Bartlow Estate near the Cambridgeshire-Essex border, growing wheat, spring barley, oil seed rape and sugar beet, as well as contract-farming a further 3,200 acres in partnership with seven different landowners.

His address is in Cambridgeshire, but two thirds of the farm lie over the border in Essex.

The business also runs a sugar beet harvesting and delivery operation, has a private shoot, and rents out 5,500 square feet of office space in a former cattle yard which is now home to tenants including a private nursery school, a property management company, a double glazing firm and an IT company.

He succeeds Monmouthshire landowner Ross Murray at the helm of the membership organisation representing 30,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses in England and Wales who has completed his two year term.

Mr Breitmeyer is the 53rd president in the association’s 110-year history.

“We are in an era-defining period of change,” he said.

“Exiting the European Union will impact on rural areas more than any other part of the economy. It is an opportunity to do better for farming, for our environment and wider land use and for investment in rural communities. I look forward to leading the association as we play our role in shaping policy at this crucial time.

“The CLA has never been more important or relevant. I am particularly keen to ensure that we are out talking to farmers, landowners and rural business owners throughout England and Wales. We are their voice and it is vital they are heard so an effective and practical policy is delivered.”

Mr Breitmeyer served for 18 years in the Grenadier Guards, retiring in 1996, and is a member of Her Majesty’s Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, providing a ceremonial guard for HM The Queen on state occasions.