Tellus Mater

Because farming needs a new approach.

Farmers need to be rewarded not only for growing food, but also for the positive environmental impacts they deliver. However, there hasn’t been an easy, universal way to reward these outputs—until now. Tellus Mater introduces a straightforward, farmer-led approach that allows producers to earn extra income for the good practices and services they provide.

A Market Based Solution

A leading team is driving the development of the Tellus Mater marketplace, drawing on their expertise in land management, business development, and sustainable investment. This group combines extensive knowledge in agri-business, food industry operations, business growth and investment strategy. 

Through its innovative marketplace, Tellus Mater directly links farmers and landowners with the food industry. This platform enables producers to access new revenue streams by meeting the environmental commitments of supply chains and food businesses seeking to reduce their footprint within their own operations. 

Tellus Mater will make it simple for farmers to benefit from these emerging opportunities, while helping the food industry achieve its sustainability goals. Tellus Mater is a forward-thinking platform that supports sustainable land use, enhances investment opportunities, and underpins the security and prosperity of rural communities.

  • Executive Chairman

    Roland co-founded Benchmark Holdings plc in 2000 to develop sustainable progress in the food chain with a focus on agriculture, aquaculture and animal health. He co-led the company to a successful flotation on the London (AIM) stock exchange serving on the plc Board as COO and directing an extensive M&A and growth programme.

    Roland has over 35 years’ international experience in agriculture and food business having first established his own farming business and a food chain consultancy to blue-chip global food companies including M&S, Tesco, and McDonald’s, prior to building the Benchmark group. He has extensive experience of business development in the US and the emerging Latin American and Asian markets.

    Working closely over the years with world leading scientists, farmer led businesses, NGO teams and global food chain partners Roland has a clear understanding and insight into the fundamentals of the food chain and the challenges it faces. He continues to farm himself.

    Mobile: +44 7974662016

    Email: roland.bonney@agrolo.co.uk

  • Business Development

    A 35-year Supply Chain and Sustainability career professional.  Keith most recent role was as Vice President of Sustainability for McDonald’s Corporation.  In this role he had direct responsibility for global corporate strategies for both sourcing sustainably and operating sustainable restaurants.  He was responsible for coordinating the broader company approach to drive positive change by using its scale and reach to make a positive impact. 

    Keith held various other positions during a long career at McDonald’s, including Head of Supply Chain for the UK business and numerous pan European commercial supply chain roles.  He pioneered the establishment of the company’s first sustainable sourcing team in Europe and then globally.

    Keith has participated in numerous industry and multi-stakeholder forums to help drive transformational change in areas such as protecting forests, sustainable fishing, improving animal welfare, and beef sustainability.

    Email: keith.kenny@agrolo.co.uk

  • Business Development

    Anthony is an experienced commercial lawyer, having spent nearly 25 years at a leading City firm, including over a decade as a partner in the corporate and M&A team.  Since leaving private practice he has run his own consultancy business and held C-Suite roles.

    Anthony joined Travers Smith in 1998, becoming a partner in 2008, and advised companies on M&A, fundraisings, joint ventures, restructurings and general company law matters.  His clients spanned a wide number of sectors, but a significant element of his work was for clients in the property and infrastructure markets, as well as for financial institutions.   Following his tenure as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at Ethos Ventures, Anthony is now one of its group non-executive directors.  Ethos Ventures is a growing ethical financial services group.

    Mobile: 0777 222 5707

    Email: anthony.foster@agrolo.co.uk