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2025 Speakers
Alan Le Maistre
CEO, The National Trust for Jersey
A qualified biologist, Alan comes from a family which has farmed the Island's land for 8 generations. He is also the founder and director of a rural heritage business and sustainable farm.
Prior to joining the Trust, Alan worked as a financial professional with 16 years' management experience in the investment industry.
"We are blessed to live on an island so rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Our Island unites us and we have a shared responsibility to protect it for the enjoyment of all islanders and for future generations. I am very grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by the Trust."
Dr Catherine Russell
Group Carbon and Sustainability Manager, Albert Bartlett
Catherine first entered the agri-food supply chain through the MDS Graduate Scheme in April 2019, where she completed four six-month placements with different companies in the fresh produce industry.
She worked for Angus Soft Fruits as their Sustainability Manager for three years, and now works for Albert Bartlett as their Group Carbon and Sustainability Manager.
She is passionate about sustainable food production, for example improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, reducing waste, and using water and raw materials responsibly.
John Vautier
Sector Lead Rural and Marine, Department for the Economy
Born and educated in Jersey John joined the family farm in Rozel at an early age.
His farming career encompassed Jersey Royal and flower growing, fruit and vegetable retailing and wholesaling as well as aquaculture.
He has worked for the civil service since 2018 as sector lead for the rural and marine economies.
Deputy Kirsten Morel
Minister for Sustainable Economic Development
Deputy Kirsten Morel has served as Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, since July 2022, prior to this he served as Assistant Minister in the same portfolio for two years.
Deputy Morel was born and educated in Jersey and studied French and English at Birmingham University. Before entering the States Assembly in 2018, he led a successful career in writing and PR with a particular focus on technology and finance.
Within the States Assembly, Deputy Morel serves as a representative for the Parishes of St. John, St Lawrence and Trinity and is a member of both the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie.
To view Kirsten’s presentation please click this link.
Philip Le Maistre Snr
Chairman, Jersey Milk Marketing Board
Born and educated in Jersey, Philip joined his family farm in Grouville at 18 years of age.
Philip established the Westlands Jersey dairy herd with 8 cows in 1990 and slowly increased cow numbers as opportunities arose to the current herd size of 240 milking cows.
The dairy herd is an important part of Master Farms, the family run business, which is run by Philip with his son Phil jnr and his brother Peter.
Master Farms is a mixed farm growing a range of crops including Jersey Royal potatoes, Asparagus, cauliflowers, tomatoes, cabbages and daffodils for the local and export markets with about 20% of the farmed area in organic production.
Master Farms prides itself in connecting with the general public not only through its social media presence but also welcoming people to the annual ‘pick your own’ sunflower and pumpkin events.
Philip has been a member of the Jersey Milk Marketing Board for many years. He served as vice chairman and then became chairman in 2022.
Dr Stephen Webster
Director and Principal Consultant with Tautenay Ltd
Stephen has worked with Jersey and the other Crown Dependencies for over 15 years, as well as with government and non-government organisations in the UK and British Overseas Territories, providing analyses of the economics, policies, and regulation of agriculture, the environment, fisheries and food.
He has supported both Jersey and Guernsey in their post-Brexit negotiations on international trade and more recently on the proposed EU-UK SPS Agreement. Stephen is Director and Principal Consultant with Tautenay Ltd, a Jersey-based consultancy he co-founded in 2021.
Deputy Steve Luce
Minister for the Environment
I am a Jerseyman, father and grandfather who has spent all of my working life in the Jersey agriculture and aquaculture industries. My farming career was comprised of owning and managing Luce Farms Ltd (dairy products, Jersey Royals, vegetable crops and flowers), The Jersey Oyster Company (oysters and mussels), and “Happy Hens” (free range eggs).
I was elected Deputy of St Martin in 2011 and I now have over thirteen years of political experience in the States Assembly. Since being elected I have chaired both the Environment and Economic Scrutiny Panels, and served on the Legislation Advisory Panel and the Planning Committee. I served previously as the Minister for Planning and Environment, from 2014-2018, and regularly represented Jersey at meetings with senior Government Ministers from across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I was re-elected as Minister for the Environment, in January 2024, and have resumed my role with the appropriate enthusiasm.
Outside of States work, and among many other honorary positions in and outside of St Martin, I am hugely proud to have served with the RNLI St Catherine’s Lifeboat, on the crew and on shore, since 1988. In other interests, I enjoy music, boating and gardening and have been a church organist since 1983.
