Is mentoring right for you right now?
You don’t have to be stuck to benefit from a mentor. You just have to be someone who wants to think more clearly, make better decisions, and move forward with more confidence.
TwoCan mentees come from across our sectors — food, farming, veterinary, dental, optometry, pharmacy, and growing businesses. What they share is a willingness to be honest about where they are, and a commitment to making the most of the six months.
If any of these sound familiar, this programme is for you:
of our mentors describe themselves as senior leaders or business owners
Six structured one-to-one sessions with a mentor matched to your goals, values and communication style — not just your job title.
A Fundamentals of Mentoring training day — in person, with both mentors and mentees — before the programme begins. This is where the real work starts.
Ongoing support from the TwoCan team throughout. You’re never on your own. Access to CPD webinars, community events, and the TwoCan network.
The following profiles are from our food, farming and horticulture cohorts.
New cohorts for veterinary, dental, optometry, pharmacy and SME programmes are launching from October 2026.
Register your interest now to be first in line.
Catchment Advisor, The Wye and Usk Foundation
Knowledge Transfer Manager Waitrose and University of Reading
Founder and Consultant
Langton Land and Farm Monitoring
Technical Sales Specialist At Timac Agro UK
Innovation - Open Programme Coordinator, UK Agri-Tech Centres
Founder of Your Farming Future
Studying for her PhD at Harper Adams University
MSc at Bangor University
Agricultural Business Consultant at Brown and Co
Knowledge Exchange at AHDB
Director at Savills and Lincolnshire Farmer
Doctoral Researcher/PhD Candidate Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, London, UK
Environmental Assistant
Becoming a Twocan mentee means gaining support, building connections, and learning from experienced mentors within the food, farming, and horticultural world. You’ll be part of a vibrant community that helps you grow both personally and professionally.
We can’t wait to welcome you as part of the Twocan community!
I have worked as a Farm Advisor for the Wye & Usk Foundation since January 2024 and am a member of Ledbury Young Farmers Club in Herefordshire. I have lived in the same rural area all my life and my parents have managed a local estate nearby since mid 2010’s so I have always been involved in the local community somehow! After our own family farm was lost in early 2010’s I struggled to find my place in the industry again but as I left college I knew it was a path that I wanted to follow so I joined young farmers in 2021 and all the people I have met and opportunities I have had have shaped my life and career to be what it is today.
I am grateful for the opportunity to join the program, I am at a point where I’m keen to develop both personally and professionally, and I think having someone to learn from and to be challenged by that may have faced similar barriers and holds much more experience will help me move my career and life plans forwards.
I am hoping to develop my own confidence, networking abilities and learning styles whilst navigating the next steps I need to take in order to move all my endeavours to the next level.
Knowledge Transfer Manager
Waitrose and University of Reading
Growing up in a fourth-generation arable farming family in South Gloucestershire, I spent much of my childhood around the kitchen table listening to conversations about the realities of farm life, its challenges, successes and rewards. Those experiences, combined with a passion for the environment, inspired my commitment to helping shape a more sustainable future for food and farming.
After studying Environmental Science at the University of Exeter, I joined LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), where I worked within the Integrated Farm Management team supporting farmers to adopt more sustainable and regenerative practices through initiatives including AgriCaptureCO2, an EU Horizon 2020 project.
Since October 2024, I have worked as a Knowledge Transfer Manager within the Waitrose Farming for Nature programme, primarily managing a partnership between Waitrose and the University of Reading. My role is to act as a bridge between academic research and practical farming, helping translate science into actionable resources that support Waitrose’s ambition for its own-brand supply base to farm to regenerative practices by 2030.
I was drawn to the programme by the opportunity to connect with a community of people who are curious, ambitious and committed to continuous learning. The structured mentoring process offers valuable space to step back from day-to-day work, reflect on longer-term goals, and identify where additional support and development could be beneficial.
Working in a sector where many colleagues and stakeholders bring decades of experience, I am keen to continue building my confidence, leadership skills and professional toolkit, particularly around project development, stakeholder management and delivering successful programmes in complex environments.
Alongside my current role in sustainable agriculture, I am also interested in the future opportunity of becoming more involved in my family’s farming business. The programme provides a chance to explore the skills, perspectives and experiences that can help prepare me for future business leadership, while learning from others who have navigated similar opportunities and challenges.
Founder and Consultant
Langton Land and Farm Monitoring
Having grown up with a great interest in agriculture, I have spent much of my career working within a variety of agricultural systems, alongside gaining a degree in Agriculture and Farm Business Management from Harper Adams University. I am now establishing Langton Land and Farm Monitoring, a business providing farm and natural capital data and information to farms, estates and others seeking insight into on-farm and environmental systems.
I joined the programme having experienced firsthand the great benefits a supportive network can bring. As I look to learn and develop, I believe being involved will build on that progress further.
I hope to build new relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds, whilst developing my purpose, ambition and business acumen.
My name is Sarah Boon. I have been in the agricultural industry from a young age, having grown up on a family farm in South Africa. I have had the opportunity to explore many parts of the industry, from being a general farm worker on dairy and sheep farms to a poultry manager. I am now a technical sales specialist for TIMAC AGRO UK, a specialist producer of sustainable soil conditioners, fertilisers, and animal nutrition products, where I am able to continue to support British farming.
My manager, who has done the programme, recommended that I join it. Given that the industry is still relatively new, it would be a brilliant way to develop my skills in networking and maintaining professional relationships.
By joining this programme, I hope to gain more experience in how to network effectively, develop leadership and management skills, and improve my confidence.
Innovation – Open Programme Coordinator, UK Agri-Tech Centres
Emma is an expert in open innovation and collaboration, specialising in building global partnerships in agriculture. With a BSc in Environmental Biosciences, a Master’s in Crop Improvement, and a Ph.D. in molecular diagnostics, she combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Formerly an innovation consultant for Fortune 500 companies, Emma now leads programmes at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, addressing agricultural challenges and driving international trade. Her dedication to nurturing future agricultural scientists and advancing global partnerships defines her impactful career.
I joined a mentoring programme to gain fresh perspectives, refine my personal development goals, and chart a clear path for the next three years. I saw it as an opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills and equip myself with the tools needed to guide and inspire others effectively. This experience is part of my commitment to continuous growth and making a meaningful impact in my career.
Founder of Your Farming Future
After a career spanning over 25 years in Agricultural Banking, Policy and Consultancy, I set up my own business, Your Farming Future, in late 2023. I focus on results driven consultancy and support for livestock businesses in the North of England. This encompasses financial planning, including cashflow modelling, benchmarking and advice on maximising profitability. I also deliver technical advice on areas such as nutrition and nutrient planning and an increasing focus is on sustainability and productivity.
As a self employed individual, I find myself dispensing advice and a form of mentoring to paying clients on a daily basis. But I have realised that there is little or no support for someone trying to dispense this advice! My business relies on my ability to connect and build rapport with clients new and old and I need an outlet to focus on this for myself and keep these skills fresh for me. I hope that the Twocan Mentor program can help with this.
The offer of a mentor and a network of like minded individuals in the industry is an offer I could not miss and I hope to build relationships with trusted individuals who will be an asset to my continued growth.
Studying for her PhD at Harper Adams University
Originally from inner-city Birmingham, I was attracted to the broad range of subjects that agriculture encompasses so completed a degree in Agriculture at Harper Adams University. During this time, I developed an interest in poultry nutrition and am now pursuing a PhD in slow growing broiler nutrition and environmental impact assessments. In my spare time I enjoy French classical dressage, cooking, knitting and exploring fashion.
I decided to join the Twocan Mentor program to develop a good foundation for a career in agriculture once I finish my PhD. I am passionate about networking and building communities and believe these factors are essential for personal and professional growth.
I hope to have great conversations with people from the sector that will lead to lasting networks and communities. I hope that through the mentorship I will develop clearer goals for my future and gain confidence about heading out to work in the industry.
MSc at Bangor University
I am a dedicated agriculturalist with my first degree in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management from Nigeria. I am also a recipient of the Commonwealth Scholarship and OFC Scholarship. I am currently pursuing my MSc in Agroforestry and Food Security at Bangor University, Wales. I am driven by the desire to use my knowledge to address global challenges related to food security and sustainability.
I joined Twocan Mentor to expand my knowledge and experience while advancing my career in the agri-food and forestry sectors. Through Twocan Mentor, I aim to gain valuable experience, develop my career, and pursue my passion for farming.
I look forward to leveraging my education, experiences, and opportunities offered by Twocan Mentor, to make a meaningful contribution to UK agriculture and beyond.
I am a passionate agriculturalist with a fierce thirst for learning. Farming is in my blood; I see agriculture as an industry that is often overlooked despite its global importance. As an Agri-Business Consultant I specialise in advising on business strategies, improving farm efficiency, and addressing the unique challenges of the agricultural sector, combining my deep-rooted understanding of practical farming with modern business practices.
Land management is vital for food production, environmental conservation, and energy generation. My aim is to help facilitate, empower UK farmers, showcasing them as world leaders in our industry.
I decided to join the cultivate success program in the hopes to engage and learn from experienced professionals who can offer different perspectives and further my own professional development.
I hope to gain invaluable personal insights, constructive criticisms, encouragement, and enhanced industry knowledge as well as new friends and connections.
Knowledge Exchange at AHDB
I was brought up on a mixed livestock farm in East Yorkshire. After studying Agriculture at Newcastle University, I moved down to Warwickshire for my first ‘proper job’ at AHDB in the beef & sheep genetics sector. I did that for 3 years before taking a secondment into the Knowledge Exchange team at AHDB, being the point of contact for beef & sheep producers between Lincolnshire and Herefordshire. A year secondment, turned into 2 and then I got invited to stay! I’ve now been in the role 5 years and enjoy the variety my role brings – no two days are the same.
I love my job and my team, but I was looking for a new challenge when I came across Helen and Twocan Mentor at an industry networking event. Being mentored sounded like a great idea and opportunity to push myself. Having been in the same organisation since I graduated and the same role for a while, you can sometimes become a little sheltered from how other organisations and job roles work. This seemed the perfect opportunity to get an alternative opinion on my career and development from people that have a very different experience to me and don’t really know me, so have no bias.
I would love to have some goals and something to aim for, I don’t know where I see myself in 5/10/15 years, so I’m hoping this scheme will help me bring some clarity to that and work out what I do and don’t want from my career. I’d also like some different opinions on how to deal with work challenges – especially when people have different ways of working. I’m a planner who likes a reasonable amount of detail, a fair amount of control and time to think things through, so working with people who don’t work in that way is inevitable, but can be frustrating
I am a rural researcher at Savills, focusing on agricultural, environmental, rural property, and land use issues across the UK. I lead a team of research analysts and a specialist rural data team, analysing the impact of policy changes on rural businesses and the land market. Alongside this, I run our family arable farm in east Lincolnshire and am busy investigating ways that we can evolve our combinable cropping system to make the business more sustainable.
I joined the programme as I was keen to benefit from an outside perspective on my development while also offering my experience back as a mentor. I really like the matching process and that there is training to help make sure you get the most out of the programme.
Doctoral Researcher/PhD Candidate
Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, London, UK
I am a dedicated food systems researcher and final-year PhD candidate focused on the cascading effects of disruptive shocks on agri-food value chains (AFVCs). My research has equipped me with a strong background in systems thinking, qualitative research, and stakeholder engagement. I am passionate about building resilient food systems, with a focus on sustainable and equitable solutions for global food security.
I decided to join this program to connect with like-minded professionals and mentors who can help guide my career in food system resilience. The opportunity to engage with a diverse network is invaluable to my personal and professional growth.
Through this experience, I hope to gain insights into practical applications of resilience-building strategies, expand my network within the agriculture industry, and strengthen my skills to better contribute to the global challenge of food security.
Environmental Assistant
I was recently made redundant from 7 years in breeding Barley in the research and development sector, upon this crossroads I joined the Twocan Mentor programme to hopefully gain direction and open up vision to other career options within agriculture that are not sitting on a tractor all day long.
My mentor is expertly matched and first session in going swimmingly well. So far this programme has given me purpose and a road in which I feel I can progress.
I look forward to what the next few months holds!
We will be in touch with more details soon