Sowing seeds for next generation
An update on the government’s ‘family farm tax’ will be included in an Agricultural Inheritance Tax Seminar in Dorchester.
Regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors, which has offices in Dorchester town centre, is holding the summit at Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College at 6pm on September 23.
It has joined forces with chartered accountants and tax advisors PKF Francis Clark, Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College and estate agents, auctioneers and surveyors Symonds & Sampson for the event. Farm owners and those who work in rural-based businesses are being invited to attend. It will include presentations, a Q&A and networking.
Discussions will focus on:
- Setting up a corporate structure as an operating business for a farm, with a shareholders’ agreement
- The importance of having a proper will in place and key considerations for executors
- An update on draft inheritance tax legislation – the ‘family farm tax’ – and what it means for rural businesses as well as strategies to consider in order to pass wealth down to the next generation(s)
- Advice on valuations and a current market update
- Support for the agricultural community
Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones Solicitors, said: “A healthy agricultural sector is so important to the community and local economy in Dorset as well as for wider society and national food security.
“Our seminar is a must-attend event for farm owners and those in agricultural businesses. It will provide valuable insights and advice to help safeguard the future of farms for the next generation.”
Speakers from Ellis Jones will be Chris Pemberton, a partner in wills, trusts and probate who heads up the firm’s Dorchester office, and consultant solicitor in business services Malcolm Scott Walby.
According to statistics from Dorset Council, about 75% of the county’s land is used for agriculture. There are 2,241 commercial farm holdings covering 197,008 ha, with a gross output of £306 million and GVA of £112 million. Food production in Dorset directly employs 5,974 people, which is 9.8% of the total employed in the sector in the South West. Under the government’s so-called ‘family farm tax’, an existing full 100% relief from inheritance tax will be restricted to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property. The changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) were announced in the Autumn 2024 Budget and are due to come into effect in April 2026. They have been introduced into Parliament as draft legislation under the government’s Finance Bill.
Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College is proud to host the Agricultural Inheritance Tax Seminar as part of an ongoing commitment to supporting rural businesses and the wider agricultural community.
Since the merger of Weymouth College and Kingston Maurward College in August 2025– which is now called Coastland College – the newly combined organisation has been building on the individual strengths of both campuses.
Weymouth has already established a thriving apprenticeship programme, connecting local employers with the next generation of skilled workers across a wide range of industries.
From the present academic year, this provision will expand to the Kingston Maurward campus, offering land-based apprenticeships designed to support the agricultural sector at a time when farmers are facing significant changes, not least through the introduction of the new inheritance tax rules.
Kingston Maurward has a long history of excellence in agricultural education, and this latest development marks an important step in continuing that legacy. By combining modern apprenticeship delivery with the college’s expertise in land-based industries, Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College is well placed to support the farming community in preparing for the future — whether through developing the next generation of skilled workers or helping businesses to adapt to legislative and economic challenges.
Ellis Jones has 183 staff – including 24 partners – in eight offices across Dorset, Hampshire and London.
Its Dorchester office – where Chris and an Ellis Jones team are based – is in Somerleigh Road, in the town centre, close to Kingston Maurward where the college is located. The office opened last November.
The Agricultural Inheritance Tax Seminar is from 6pm to 9pm and is free to attend.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/agricultural-inheritance-tax-seminar-tickets-1519739043389?aff=oddtdtcreator to register.
Visit https://www.ellisjones.co.uk/business/ for more about Ellis Jones’ Business Services and https://www.ellisjones.co.uk/personal/wills-trust-and-probate/ for more about Wills, Trust & Probate.