We’re shining a spotlight on the journeys of our Trainees and the incredible opportunities our programme offers. Edward Mayell, a Trainee currently on the MDS Graduate Scheme, shares his experience completing an apprenticeship alongside his placements, and how it’s shaped his career in the agri-food industry.
What made you join the MDS programme?
One of the most valuable aspects of the MDS programme is how it combines structured academic learning with practical, on-the-job experience spanning the full breath of the agri-food supply chain. Completing a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management alongside my rotations has allowed me to apply theory directly to real-life situations – reinforcing the learning through experience rather than purely academic theory.
What was your first placement?
My first placement was as a Trainee Farm Manager with A G Wright & Son, a family run arable farm in Cambridgeshire. This role provided a strong operational foundation and introduced me to leadership in its most practical form. During harvest, I was responsible for managing a diverse team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. This experience brought to life several key apprenticeship themes such as; making effective decisions under pressure and managing individuals with different backgrounds, motivations and working styles. The responsibility of balancing productivity with safety and maintaining morale was challenging but formative, and it gave me confidence in my ability to lead in real-world conditions.
How did your next role help your development?
I then moved into a Customer Marketing Coordinator role at Frontier Agriculture, where my focus shifted towards project management. A key element of this secondment was managing multiple marketing initiatives, including campaigns such as the National Winter Events Series. Coordinating timelines, stakeholders and resources across several projects simultaneously strengthened my project management skills and reinforced the necessity for prioritisation and the importance of clear communication across all levels of a team. Concepts from my apprenticeship, such as stakeholder management and delivery accountability, proved directly applicable when working with internal and external teams.