About Us
John Davies (Founder) & Grace Nugent (Managing Director)
The UK’s longest established agricultural recruitment consultancy
De Lacy Executive was founded in 2000 by John Davies, who experienced firsthand the difficulty of finding the right talent during his time in management at a large feed business. Driven by this challenge, he established the company to connect skilled professionals with leading agricultural businesses.
The company was named 'De Lacy Executive' to honour our Herefordshire roots, reflecting the influence of the prominent De Lacy family, whose name is woven into the histories of many villages in the area such as ‘Holme Lacy’ and ‘Stoke Lacy’.
In 2017, De Lacy Executive was purchased by Farms.com marking a new chapter in our growth and enhancing our ability to serve clients and job seekers on a global platform.
Agricultural recruitment by agricultural people
At the core of De Lacy Executive is a simple belief: our people are our greatest asset.
Each of our Recruitment Consultants brings a personal connection to agriculture, whether through growing up on a farm or working in the industry. This deep-rooted experience is complemented by our diverse expertise, with each team member specialising in their own area of interest, be it poultry, viticulture, or agronomy. This unique blend of personal background and professional focus ensures we truly understand the needs of the agricultural sector.
As a team, we are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry. We regularly attend events, visit client sites to gain firsthand insights into their operations, stay updated with the latest trade news, and engage in continuous training.
As a client of De Lacy Executive, you'll be assigned a dedicated Recruitment Consultant who will take the time to understand your business. They will personally manage every aspect of the recruitment process, from headhunting to the offer stage, ensuring a seamless and tailored experience.
Our commitment to training
Regardless of their previous background and experience, every new recruitment consultant must complete De Lacy Executive’s comprehensive ‘Recruiter Development Programme’ before they are assigned to lead a recruitment project for one of our clients.
Our Recruiter Development Programme provides training on all areas of the job including:
- De Lacy Executive values & processes
- In depth presentations on our main sectors
- How to take a job brief from a client
- Job advert writing
- Headhunting & recruitment mapping
- Interview skills & best practice
- Negotiation & counter offer training
All consultants take part in routine internal training to refresh their knowledge on the ‘basics’ as we believe mastery of the fundamentals is key to long term success. Additionally, we employ an external trainer on a regular basis to ensure we are keeping up with trends in the wider recruitment industry which is constantly evolving in line with society and the economy.
With regard to the agricultural sector, we consistently top up our knowledge by attending shows, events and industry specific training courses. In recent years, we’ve made it a priority to arrange team visits to key clients to learn more about their products, culture and the people they require.
Recruitment areas we specialise in
We recruit for businesses in farming, food production and the agricultural supply chain.
Job Type/Functions
Commercial
Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Consultant, Account Management
Farm
Estate/Farm Director, Farm Manager, Assistant Farm Manager
Technical
Agronomist, Engineer, Formulator, Nutritionist, Technician, R & D Manager, Trials Assistant
Operations
Operations Manager, Project Manager, Production Manager
Supply Chain & Procurement
Livestock Buyer, Commodity Trader, Supply Chain Planner
Senior Management
CEO, Managing Director, Director, General Manager, Sales Manager, Commercial Manager
Sustainability
Sustainability Manager, Regenerative Farming Specialist, Soil Health Specialist
Agricultural Subsectors
Livestock
Dairy, Sheep, Beef, Swine, Poultry, Genetics, Animal Health, Ruminant & Monogastric Feed
Growing
Arable, Horticulture, Fresh Produce, Viticulture, Vertical Farming, Agronomy & Arable Inputs
Ag-Tech & Machinery
Agricultural Machinery, Parlour Equipment, Ag-Tech
Food Production
Red & White Meat, Wine Production
Equestrian
Feed & Equipment
Bioenergy
Biogas, Anaerobic Digestion
Pest Control
Chemical Pesticides, Biological, Cultural and Physical
Testimonials
Harry and the De Lacy team recently assisted us in the recruitment of a Fam Business Manager; the candidates that were presented were all excellent and the co-ordination of the recruiting process was faultless
I am thrilled to share my outstanding experience with Delacey Executive Recruitment Agency, who played a key role in my appointment as Managing Director of Tithebarn Limited. Their professionalism, insight, and dedication made the entire process seamless. Grace and her team took the time to understand my career goals, aligning them perfectly with Tithebarn’s vision and culture. Their industry knowledge and personalized approach gave me confidence throughout. Delacey’s attention to detail and support from start to finish were exceptional. I highly recommend Delacey to any professional seeking top-tier recruitment services.
Alex has assisted me with applications for senior roles over the past few years and has recently helped recruit for positions to build my own team. She is personable, respectful, and knowledgeable—the best recruiter by far, that I’ve worked with
A big "Thank you" to Helen Calvert for placing me in my new role as Sales and Customer Relations Manager within an Agri Business Company.
Helen has been a great intermediary in the recruitment process, being well informed and proactive from the initial enquiry to the acceptance of the official offer.
It's been a really straightforward process; all queries have been dealt with in a very efficient manner and I've felt well supported from start to finish.
With thanks to Helen, I now look forwards to my start date in September.
Alex has been extremely helpful during my recruitment process. She answered all my questions thoroughly and was a great support ensuring I was prepared for interviews and making sure the role was right for me.
I was happy with the level of service provided to me by De Lacy Executive. I was provided with a good number of well qualified candidates in a reasonable timeframe. De Lacy were quick to provide a shortlist of suitable candidates, they listened to my feedback and adjusted their search accordingly
I have always found De Lacy to be dedicated to helping us find new talent to add to our team, taking the extra time to truly understand our business and our values to help us find the right fit, we have made some really fantastic appointments over the years and in what are often really challenging recruitment areas.
De Lacy are my No1 recruiter of choice, their service and expertise in the industry has continually impressed me. They are always on hand and commitment to our success.
De Lacy is the cream in recruitment
I discovered De Lacy Recruitment because they had several marketing opportunities within the agricultural sector. I worked closely with Harry, who was outstanding—transparent about the roles, their suitability, and highly supportive throughout the interview process, from preparation to feedback. Thanks to his guidance, I successfully secured a position, and I couldn't be more pleased. De Lacy Recruitment stands out as a top-tier firm with a personalised and professional approach.
Cannot recommend De Lacy Recruitment enough! I had the pleasure of meeting Alex and John, and the experience has been phenomenal. I worked with Alex in my venture of taking the next step in my career. Hesitant at first, as I had never used an agency, I was nervous about being lost in the crowd – how wrong I was! Alex’s impeccable communication supported me through every step, from applying my CV to each interview stage, leading to success. I cannot thank Alex and the team enough for their care and support!
My experience with De Lacy Executive Recruitment, in particular Grace and Alex, while finding my dream role was pure delight. Their unwavering support and uplifting motivation throughout the process was exceptional. I'll recommend their services to anyone. Thank you!
I have been engaged with De Lacy recruitment, in particular Lauren Holloway, for several years, which has always given me a rewarding experience. It is an organisation that specialises in agriculturally based opportunities, offering professional liaison between job seekers and employers. They are precise and exact in representing the employer and potential candidates in a professional manner, resulting in a rewarding experience for both. Their attention to the details allows an accurate job description, offering potential candidates a clear understanding of the requirements, ensuring alignment and an enhanced interview experience.
Thank you for the quality and professionalism you've provided. I felt in the loop the entire time, like family was looking out for the best option for me. You went the extra mile to find something that truly fit my personality, which I genuinely appreciate. Thank you for everything
