England’s first tenant farming commissioner: Can Alan Laidlaw reshape landlord-tenant relations?

Why has the UK government created a tenant farming commissioner and what is the expected impact on the sector?

Tenant farmers across England will now be represented by a new official role aimed at stabilizing and improving the relationship between landowners, tenants, and advisors. Alan Laidlaw, a respected figure with more than 25 years of experience in agriculture, land management, and rural economics, has been appointed as the country’s first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector. His appointment, announced on 26 September 2025 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, represents a structural shift in how the government intends to manage one of the most sensitive yet crucial parts of British farming.

Tenant farming covers more than a third of England’s farmland and underpins food security, environmental conservation, and rural livelihoods. Yet despite its importance, the sector has often been vulnerable to disputes, short tenancy terms, and inconsistent communication between farmers and landlords. The commissioner role has been introduced to serve as an impartial voice, capable of investigating complaints, encouraging best practice, and embedding a culture of fairness across the industry.

For policymakers, the creation of this position directly links to the government’s “Plan for Change,” a policy framework designed to secure long-term resilience, profitability, and sustainability in agriculture. Analysts have already pointed out that the commissioner will be a test of how government-backed mediation and oversight can reduce friction in a sector that is both commercially sensitive and socially vital.

What role will Alan Laidlaw play in improving tenant-landlord relations and why does his background matter?

Alan Laidlaw is no stranger to the complexities of land use and rural policy. Having grown up on a farm in south-east Scotland and spent much of his career working across auction marts, agricultural banking, and land investment, he has both practical and strategic experience. He spent over a decade as part of the senior management team at The Crown Estate, where he managed one of the largest agricultural tenanted estates in the UK. In this role, he was directly responsible for a 250,000-acre rural portfolio, implementing tenancy agreements and co-investment models that drove sustainable growth for both landowners and tenants.

Most recently, Laidlaw served as Chief Executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, where he worked to support agricultural innovation and foster collaboration within the industry. His track record of blending operational management with policy advocacy has led to confidence that he will bring both pragmatism and vision to the new role.

During his appointment announcement, Laidlaw emphasized that tenant farming “lies at the heart of food production” and that strong tenant-landlord relationships are essential to driving innovation and shared success. His appointment was warmly welcomed by industry representatives, with many noting that his combination of farming roots and boardroom experience gives him credibility with all sides of the agricultural debate.

How does the commissioner role connect to the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice?

A major part of Laidlaw’s role will involve embedding the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice into everyday farming relationships. The code, developed through industry collaboration, outlines best practice standards for conducting rent reviews, agreeing improvements, and managing participation in government-backed schemes.

Although the code is not legally binding, it sets out clear expectations of fair behavior and transparent communication between tenants and landlords. By giving the commissioner authority to champion the code, Defra is signaling that while legal reform may not be on the table immediately, cultural reform is an urgent priority. Laidlaw’s team will also be expected to track trends in complaints, publish reports, and share insights with the Farm Tenancy Forum, a body created to advise the government on tenancy reform.

Why is tenant farming central to England’s food production and rural economy?

Tenant farming represents a cornerstone of England’s agricultural landscape. Roughly 45% of holdings are either wholly tenanted or operate under mixed tenure, and about one-third of agricultural land is managed by tenants. This structure supports a diverse farming ecosystem by lowering barriers to entry for new farmers, enabling innovation without requiring large upfront capital investments in land ownership.

For landlords, tenancy agreements provide a steady income stream and ensure that land remains productive. However, short tenancy terms—averaging just three years—create challenges for long-term planning and discourage significant investment in infrastructure or sustainability. With climate change and policy uncertainty placing additional pressure on food production, the commissioner role is being introduced to provide stability at a time when farmers are expected to deliver both economic and environmental outcomes.

What institutional sentiment has emerged following the appointment of Alan Laidlaw?

Institutional voices from within the sector have broadly welcomed the appointment as a step towards building trust and transparency. George Dunn, Chief Executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, stressed that Laidlaw’s reputation for diligence and fairness makes him ideally suited to the role. Dunn also noted that the appointment brings momentum to efforts to embed the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice as a recognized standard across the industry.

From a government standpoint, Secretary of State Emma Reynolds praised tenant farmers as “the backbone of food production,” highlighting that the new commissioner would act as an impartial voice to strengthen collaboration.

For institutional investors and supply chain stakeholders, the appointment is viewed through the lens of risk management and resilience. Analysts believe that reducing friction in tenancy agreements will stabilize farm output at a time when margins are being squeezed by higher input costs, labor shortages, and shifting consumer demand. By supporting tenant farmers, policymakers are also supporting food manufacturers, retailers, and the broader rural economy.

Which major policy milestones and industry reviews led to the creation of England’s first tenant farming commissioner role and why are they significant today?

The creation of the commissioner’s office can be traced back to the Rock Review, an independent review of England’s tenanted sector published in recent years. The review identified systemic weaknesses, including lack of long-term security, inconsistent rent practices, and misaligned incentives between tenants and landlords. It recommended stronger oversight, more transparency, and the creation of a dedicated commissioner to mediate disputes and promote good practice.

Following the review, the government launched the Farm Tenancy Forum to bring together industry stakeholders and advise on tenancy reform. The appointment of Laidlaw now marks the most visible outcome of that process, fulfilling a government promise to act on the recommendations of the review.

How does the appointment fit into England’s agricultural reform and sustainability plans?

The commissioner’s work is closely tied to the government’s wider reform agenda, which seeks to make farming more sustainable while maintaining food security. Tenant farmers are being asked to play a critical role in delivering environmental outcomes, including biodiversity recovery, carbon sequestration, and water quality improvements. However, the short-term nature of most tenancy agreements has often discouraged investment in these areas.

By creating an impartial commissioner, the government hopes to give both tenants and landlords the confidence to engage in long-term planning and adopt practices aligned with sustainability goals. In this respect, the commissioner is not just an advocate for fairness but also a facilitator of environmental policy. Analysts have observed that without such structural support, the risk of under-delivering on environmental commitments would remain high.

What are the future expectations for the commissioner and the tenant farming sector?

In the months ahead, Alan Laidlaw will engage with tenant farmers, landlords, and advisors across England. He is expected to attend industry events, meet with representative organizations such as the NFU and CLA, and establish direct communication channels with farming communities. His office will also be tasked with publishing regular updates on sector trends, complaints, and areas where improvements are needed.

For tenant farmers, the immediate expectation is greater transparency in rent reviews and tenancy negotiations. For landlords, the commissioner offers assurance that tenancy frameworks will remain profitable and fair. For policymakers, the role provides a channel to monitor how policy reforms are being received on the ground.

Future success will likely be measured by reductions in disputes, improvements in long-term planning, and increased participation in sustainability schemes. Analysts believe that if the commissioner’s office can deliver stability and clarity, it will ultimately benefit the broader supply chain and rural economy.

What is the long-term outlook for England’s tenant farming commissioner in shaping sector stability, fair landlord-tenant relations, and sustainable agriculture?

The appointment of Alan Laidlaw as the first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector represents more than a symbolic gesture. It institutionalizes oversight in a sector that has long been marked by complexity, short-termism, and occasional mistrust. By embedding the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, mediating disputes, and strengthening collaboration, the commissioner provides a framework for a more resilient farming model.

For England’s agricultural economy, this move signals recognition that tenant farming is not merely a legacy system but a vital component of future food security and environmental sustainability. While change will not be immediate—relationships and cultural practices evolve slowly—the creation of this office offers a structured path toward fairness, trust, and long-term growth in one of the most important parts of the rural economy.