In 1995, I enrolled at Harper Adams Agricultural College in Shropshire, then transferring to the more scientifically based University of Reading Agricultural Department where I graduated with a BSC (Hons) Agriculture Degree.
In addition to farming, I also assisted my close friend Shaun Hancox (a former Young Farmer like myself), with his families plant hire business. Working for Shaun and his father Derek, I gained experience of operating Volvo A25 Dump Trucks and a range of heavy excavation equipment, gaining CITB Accreditation for 180o JCB Style Back-hoes, 360o Hy-Mac Style Excavators (right), Skid Steer Loaders, Telescopic Fork Lift Loaders and both 6-wheel and 4-wheel articulated steer dump trucks.
The work for Hancox, was mainly confined to weekends and breaks from university, however I still managed to work on some high profile construction projects including The River Severn Flood Protection Scheme, Woburn Sands PGA Golf Course and many emergency jobs for Rail Track (sub contracted to McAlpine).
Upon leaving university, I accepted a job as herdsman at the University of Readings 400-cow CEDAR Dairy Research Centre. Soon afterwards I was offered a farm Manager position at Deans Foods, where I sought the farms accreditation to RSPCA Freedom Foods and FWAG Stewardship status.
I later entered into a share farming partnership with a dairy farmer near Abergavenny. This incorporated total control of the farm, livestock and crops, and generated a healthy return at a time when many UK dairy farmers were struggling. In 2005 I joined the UK's largest dairy co-operative, First Milk, as an area Manager. My responsibilities were extremely varied, but were crucial to both the smooth-running of our members’ operations and First Milk’s business. Activities such as checking on milk quality, resolving haulage issues, recruiting new members and Farm Assurance visits were ‘bread and butter’ to the job. However equally important to me was my role as First Milk Academy mentor, where we aimed to increase our member knowledge of practical issues -similar to my work today; educating my customers about the importance of proper land management and the need to regularly cultivate.
Despite having visited Spain many times, it was not until 2007 while on holiday with my fiancée Karon that I first visited the La Romana area, to meet her brother Keith Williams. Within a few days of being here I had borrowed Keith's neighbours' tractor and ploughed his fields. By the end of the week I had been asked by several of Keith's friends if I could also plough their fields - thus the idea of Localmotion was born!
It took the best part of 12 months to tie up our loose ends in the UK, but in May 2008 we relocated full time to Spain with Localmotion experiencing constant growth despite the economic turmoil. In addition to our Field Management Services, we have expanded the groundwork and plant hire side of our business using our close relations with Hancox Plant Hire and Phillip Odam, as well as First Milk to ensure our agricultural and machinery techniques are always up to date. We feel our extensive experience makes us the regions most experienced English speaking agricultural and groundwork contractors, ensuring total customer satisfaction.
Ian Pell, July 2009