Acres Insurance Brokers Ltd has officially launched Acres Risk Management, a new service designed to help farms, estates and rural businesses reduce risk, improve safety standards and protect the long-term success of their business.
The service was formally announced during a launch event held on the Acres stand at Cereals 2026, where farmers, rural business owners and industry professionals were introduced to a practical approach to health and safety, compliance and risk management tailored specifically to the needs of rural businesses.
The launch comes at a time when many farming businesses continue to face significant financial pressures. Over recent years, farm insurance costs have increased, driven by factors including inflation, rising labour and repair costs, and substantial increases in the replacement value of farm buildings, machinery and equipment.
At the same time, many farmers have faced reduced subsidy payments, rising input costs and challenging commodity prices, placing additional pressure on already stretched margins.
Recognising these challenges, Acres Insurance Brokers has been exploring practical ways to help clients reduce incidents, strengthen resilience and improve their overall risk profile.
Through its work with farming and rural businesses across the UK, Acres identified a clear trend: businesses with strong risk management practices in place often experience fewer incidents, fewer disruptions and lower claims activity. Common characteristics included well-maintained buildings and machinery, robust health and safety procedures, regular inspections, effective staff training and a proactive approach to identifying and managing risk.
To help clients strengthen these areas, Acres launched Acres Risk Management, a specialist service led by experienced 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 provides 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, Acres Risk Management focuses on practical solutions that help businesses improve safety standards, strengthen compliance and operate with greater confidence.
By identifying potential issues before they become costly problems, the service helps reduce disruption, improve compliance, support business resilience and demonstrate a proactive approach to risk management. It also provides reassurance that businesses are meeting their responsibilities to employees, contractors, visitors and the wider public.
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.”
While no one can guarantee future insurance premiums, businesses that actively manage risk are often better positioned to minimise incidents, reduce disruption and demonstrate their commitment to safe and responsible operations.
By helping clients improve standards, reduce incidents and strengthen their overall risk profile, Acres Risk Management is helping farms, estates and rural businesses build safer, stronger and more resilient businesses for the future.
For further information please visit www.acresrm.co.uk
Alternatively if you wish to discuss your health and safety requirements please contact Kyle at kyle@acresrm.co.uk.
