Introducing a new specialist service designed to help farms, estates and rural businesses improve safety standards, manage risk more effectively and build safer, stronger and more resilient businesses.
Acres Insurance Brokers Ltd will officially launch Acres Risk Management at Cereals 2026, marking the next stage in the company’s commitment to supporting farms, estates and rural businesses beyond insurance. The new service is designed to help clients identify and manage risks before they become costly problems, improving resilience and supporting the long-term success of their business.
The new service will be formally announced on Acres Stand 757 at 2pm on Thursday 11th June, where visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the practical support available and meet the team behind the service.
The launch comes at a challenging time for many farming businesses. Over recent years, farm insurance costs have increased significantly, driven by inflation, rising labour and repair costs, and substantial increases in the replacement value of farm buildings, machinery and equipment.
At the same time, many businesses continue to face pressure from rising input costs, changing support schemes and increasingly complex compliance requirements.
Recognising these challenges, Acres Insurance Brokers has spent several years working closely with farming and rural businesses to better understand the factors that contribute to fewer incidents, lower claims activity and stronger business resilience. This work identified a clear trend: organisations with robust risk management practices in place often experience fewer incidents, fewer disruptions and lower levels of claims activity.
Common characteristics included well-maintained buildings and machinery, regular inspections, effective staff training, documented procedures and a proactive approach to identifying and managing risk.
To help clients strengthen these areas and take a more proactive approach to risk, Acres has developed Acres Risk Management, a specialist service led by Health, Safety and Risk Management Consultant, Kyle Phillips.
Kyle has specialised in health, safety and risk management since 2012, working extensively with farms, country estates and rural businesses across a diverse range of operations. His experience spans agricultural machinery, livestock handling, forestry, gamekeeping, visitor attractions, construction projects and a wide range of rural enterprises. Alongside practical operational experience gained on one of Scotland’s largest private estates, Kyle has developed and led safety management systems, strategic risk registers and business continuity planning programmes, helping organisations improve standards, strengthen resilience and manage risk with confidence.
The service will provide practical support including:
- Farm and Estate Safety Reviews
- PUWER and LOLER Inspections
- Business Continuity and Strategic Risk Reviews
- Ongoing Risk Management Support
- Health and Safety Compliance Guidance
- Any other health and safety requirements, including policies, risk assessments, procedures, COSHH assessments, and noise and vibration assessments.
Designed specifically for rural businesses, the service focuses on practical, proportionate solutions that can be implemented in the real world, helping businesses reduce disruption, improve compliance and operate with greater confidence.
Nigel Wellings, Founder and Chairman of Acres Insurance Brokers, said:
“For many farms, estates and rural businesses, health and safety can feel like a complex and time-consuming area. Our aim is to provide practical, effective support that genuinely helps businesses manage risk, protect people and strengthen their long-term resilience.
Acres Risk Management is not about creating paperwork for the sake of it. It is about providing straightforward advice and support that helps businesses operate safely, confidently and efficiently while protecting the future of the business.”
Kyle Phillips, Health, Safety and Risk Management Consultant at Acres Risk Management, added:
“Rural and agricultural businesses involve some of the highest risks of any sector, yet health and safety is often pushed down the priority list simply because owners are busy running their business and don’t know where to start. Machinery, vehicles, livestock, lone working and even the weather combine in ways rarely seen elsewhere. My role is to help businesses take a practical approach to managing those risks, protecting their people and supporting the long-term success of the business.”
Visitors attending Cereals 2026 are warmly invited to join the Acres team on Stand 757 at 2pm on Thursday 11th June for the official launch of Acres Risk Management and an opportunity to discuss the practical steps rural businesses can take to reduce risk, improve resilience and strengthen their future.
For more information, visit Acres Insurance Brokers at Cereals 2026 or speak to a member of the team on Stand 757.
Source:
Victoria Williams, Marketing Manager, Acres Insurance Brokers Ltd
