LINDSEY-ANNE Murfin, daughter of a local Dales farmer, has been appointed as the new group secretary and NFU Mutual agent at Leyburn.

She originally started her career as a customer services adviser in the office in 2010 after graduating from Newcastle University.

She has since worked in the NFU Ripon office and at NFU Mutual regional office in York, but she said the chance to move back to Leyburn was too good to miss – especially as it is part of a very successful partnership that takes in the NFU and NFU Mutual offices in Leyburn, Northallerton and Stokesley.

She said: “I am really excited to be back.

I know the area well and we not only have a lot of great farmer members in the patch, there’s also a lot of potential for us to grow the business.

“Leyburn has an excellent team in the office and it’s a real bonus that I’m able to work in partnership with two other group secretaries – Michael Hilyer and Greg Proll – who know the role and the challenges inside out.”

Supported by her team of Sarah Longstaff, Maryann Calvert, Hayley Barry and Natasha Moon, Lindsey-Anne said she is keen to explore new ideas for the NFU branch, with activity due to kick off with the second annual inter-branch clay shoot in June.

She is also planning an annual meeting and launch meeting, as well as a stand at both Wensleydale and Reeth shows this summer.

“We also aim to make regular appearances at the auction marts,” she said.

“There’s lots to do and I’m determined that our local farmers are really going to see the benefit of being NFU members.”