NFYFC Staff

The NFYFC national office is based in Warwickshire and this is where you will find a dedicated team of staff working to implement the various campaigns, events, competitions and training sessions decided on by the National Council.

National staff also work to raise the profile of NFYFC both within the agricultural industry and the general public, and raise funds to ensure the organisation can continue its support of young people in rural areas.

To contact NFYFC, please call 02476 857200 or contact the member of staff directly by clicking on the email links below.

James Eckley
Chief Officer 

James leads the national office and works with the Board and the NFYFC Council to deliver plans and projects that meet the needs of the membership. James has been involved in YFC for more than 15 years and was a former YFC member.

Contact: James Eckley Telephone: 02476 857 214

 Competitions and travel

Margaret Bennett
Competitions Officer and oversees the YFC Travel Programme

Margaret has worked with NFYFC for the past 11 years and helps organise NFYFC’s Competitions programme – coordinating the rules, arranging venues, judges and stewards. Margaret supports the Competitions Steering Group to ensure YFC members’ achievements are recognised at the national competition finals.

Margaret is also responsible for the YFC Travel programme – and as a former member has many happy memories of her own time travelling to Canada with YFC.

Margaret, who lives on a farm in Staffordshire, has also held many YFC roles including County Chairman, County Organiser and County President.

Email: Margaret Bennett Telephone: 02476 857216  

Training and Development

Natasha Dennis
Training and Development Officer  

Natasha is focused on providing training for counties to support them in their work. She also helps counties deliver training to members so they have an opportunity to gain new skills and develops and supports them with their charity’s governance.

Natasha is a former YFC member and was a vice chair and secretary of her local club in Gloucestershire. She made friends for life throughout YFC and is passionate about the countryside and rural affairs.

Contact: Natasha Dennis Telephone: Tel: 02476 857 220 Mob: 07795 274 441 

Lauren Hancox
County Development Officer

Lauren works with Natasha to support county federations and assists them with helping YFCs. Lauren regularly visits county federations and also assists in developing training sessions and events. 

As a former member, Lauren has travelled with YFC and competed in many competitions – Floral Art being a favourite. She lives in rural Warwickshire and completed an International Ag Business degree at the Royal Agricultural University. 

Contact: Lauren Hancox Telephone: 02476 857225  

Agriculture and rural issues 

Sarah Palmer
AGRI Manager

Sarah works with the NFYFC agriculture and rural issues steering group (YFC AGRI) and forges and maintains industry and government relationships to support YFC opportunities. This enables the development and delivery of relevant resources, events and research to ensure young farmers’ voices are listened to and represented. 

Contact: Sarah Palmer Telephone: Tel:  02476 857 213 Mob: 07827 816342

Fundraising and sponsorship

Sophie Willingale
Fundraising and Partnerships Manager 

Sophie has worked with NFYFC since 2017, supporting NFYFC's fundraising and developing partnerships with organisations wishing to sponsor and support NFYFC's work with rural young people. Sophie is also the point of contact for advertising and offers to members.

Sophie started working as a fundraiser in 2008 and part of her role is to assist the YFC County Federations with fundraising advice.

Sophie grew up in rural Wiltshire and is part of the English wine revolution as she manages the family vineyard that her father planted in ’93. Her experience of YFC before joining NFYFC was through attending YFC social events and she wishes she'd known more about all the opportunities YFC offered when she was growing up.

Contact: Sophie Willingale Telephone: 02476 857 227 Mob: 07557 059071 

Administration and support services

Sandra Bromley 
PA to the Chief Officer & Administration Manager (job share)

Sandra joined NFYFC in 2008 and her role at the YFC Centre includes supporting the Chief Officer, NFYFC team, NFYFC Board of Management, National Officers and County Federations on all aspects of administration.

Contact: Sandra Bromley Telephone: 02476 857217

Caryn May
PA to the Chief Officer & Administration Manager (job share)

Caryn joined NFYFC in 1995 as Field Services Administrator before joining the HOPS team in 2000; working with farmers for over 20 years. She recently returned to the NFYFC staff team to work alongside Sandra Bromley in supporting the Chief Officer, NFYFC team, NFYFC Board of Management, National Officers and County Federations on all aspects of administration.

Contact: Caryn May Telephone:  02476 857207

Val Wright
Head of Safeguarding

Val leads on all of NFYFC’s safeguarding work, reviewing and developing safeguarding policies and procedures, supporting County staff to implement these within clubs and dealing with concerns.

With a background in development and safeguarding in sport organisations, charities and the Police, Val has worked with several governing bodies of sport to develop robust policies and procedures to promote best practice to create safe environments for young people’s participation, as well as dealing with cases and concerns reported within sports clubs.

Contact: Val Wright Telephone: 02476 857 221 Mob: 07541 626 855 

Rachel Nemukovhani
Accounts Assistant

Rachel manages NFYFC’s accounts.

Contact: Rachel Nemukovhani  Telephone: 02476 857 215 Mob: 07827 701 493