Christopher leaves at the end of the year to work with his brother Nick, NFU Council Representative for Norfolk, in the family’s farming and contracting business at Hoveton. He also has his own flock of Texel sheep.
“I do deem it an honour to have represented farmers, and to have coordinated branch activities, over this time. It’s a privileged position, which I don’t take lightly,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed trying to help members in some small way and building up a cracking team in the group office.
“Probably the thing that has stuck out the most is that our membership numbers have stayed pretty constant throughout.
“We’re just below 300 members and I’m pleased with that as an achievement, despite the consolidation we’ve seen in farming.”
Christopher, 58, worked in the civil service, helping employees find work after redundancy, before joining the NFU and NFU Mutual 32 years ago.
“I remember being shortlisted and attending an interview at the old NFU offices in Ber Street, Norwich,” he said.
“The meeting was chaired by then County Chair John Place and members included Charles Wharton, the local director of NFU Mutual, and Tom Crane. There were about 16 farmers there.”
It was a few days after he started that Christopher first realised insurance formed part of his new role.
“On the Wednesday of my first week, Group Secretary David Faulkner said it would be good to learn how to write out a cover note book,” he said.
“That was the first time I realised that the job involved insurance as well. I thought I would just be working for the NFU, lobbying on behalf of members!”
“I do deem it an honour to have represented farmers, and to have coordinated branch activities, over this time. It’s a privileged position, which I don’t take lightly.”
East Norfolk Group Secretary Christopher Deane
Stand out moments of Christopher’s group secretary career include helping to produce campaign document Why Farming Matters to the Broads, assisting members during foot and mouth, helping on water issues, and NFU Norfolk’s centenary celebrations.
He says that one of the reasons he is leaving is for his mental health and wellbeing. He was off work for 10 months a few years ago after suffering a mental health crisis.
“I was determined to come back and carry on for a few more years. I’ve achieved that but I’ve decided it’s now a good time to go,” he said.
“I’ve always been open about what happened to me and I’ve hopefully helped others who have found themselves in similar situations.”
Christopher plans to continue his involvement with organisations including Stalham Farmers’ Club and the Norfolk Farmers Trust.
“I’ll be involved with all of them but on the back benches, no longer on the top table. My passion for promoting Norfolk agriculture will never wane,” he said.