AT BONE & SONS - Key Persons
Alan Thomas Bone started the farming business in 1957 as a humble, family-run farm. We have grown organically over time, developing our skills, relationships, knowledge and resources to become the multidisciplinary company we are today.
With this legacy at our heart, ATB is now run by Alan's two sons, Daniel and Russell, along with Russell's daughter, Becky. As a family-run company, we work as a team with each other and our clients - to us, every person counts to make ATB the company it is.
Before starting her career with ATBone, Becky, daughter of Russell attended Loughborough University where she gained a first class Hons degree in Chemical Engineering and carried out her year in industry in the R&D team for Quaker oats. With an enthusiasm for the world of agri-business, Becky then went on to complete an MBA in Advance Farm Management before returning to the farm in 2014.
Becky has fully embraced the family business and has a passion to continue its growth and embrace technology along the way. On a day to day basis, Becky oversees the administrative operations of the business, whilst taking a strategic approach to its future planning. When the harvest season arrives, Becky likes to get stuck in with some corn cart driving one of the lorries or a chaser bin. When Becky's not working, you may find her flying down a mountain on a pair of skis or a road bike in hot pursuit for a gin and tonic or some après ski.
Daniel is the youngest son of Alan and Audrey Bone, he attended Oaklands College and studied a NDA in Agriculture before returning home to join Alan and Russell on the farm.
Daniel is heavily involved in organising the farming operations and logistics as well as overseeing the operational side of the Civils and Sports areas of the business. Daniel has a good eye for detail, whether this is perfectly stacking freshly baled straw or ensuring the ground level and preparation is perfect for concreting, he is a perfectionist in all that he does.
Daniel's work ethic is second to none, despite being very hands on, he takes pride in forging strong relationships with our clients, harvesting the reputable solutions for bespoke instructions.
When time allows Daniel enjoys taking time out, whether this is spending time with his children Ellen and Thomas, socialising with friends, or taking a drive to the alps forcing his passengers to endure untold episodes of the Archers. He is a keen shot and a connoisseur of fine French wines
James joined ATB back in 2011. James was born into the farming fraternity and was always eager to remain involved in the agricultural industry, following a moderately successful career as a professional Basketball player, James realised his passion for farm machinery was one he could no longer ignore.
James is a man of precision and attention to detail. He takes great pride in ensuring the team he manages carries out good husbandry to the highest standard. Having worked his way to management level James is meticulously patient and enthusiastic with new members of the team. Still a key operator himself, he is keen to educate new and older members of the team on the care of the high-quality machinery we use and the importance of achieving high output and efficiency in a timely manner.
James is very pragmatic when finding solutions to challenges he faces and one of James' many talents is he will turn his hand to anything that is required of him.
Outside of work, James is a keen shot and lives for the outdoors whether this is sporting, socialising with friends and family or exploring London's finest restaurants.
Malcolm Pate is a newcomer to the A T Bone team. Joining us in early 2024 as our Farm Business Manager he brings with him nearly a decade's worth of Farm Management experience from across the country. Whilst not coming from a farming background, Malcolm instead grew up on an private estate in SW Scotland. Showing a keen interest in his surroundings from a very young age, Malcolm would take himself off to investigate what was going on at the local farms. It was with this interest, he would often sit in the passenger seat of a tractor along-side a local farmer, going up and down the fields, learning how to do all the various tasks and learning how to milk cows from the age of 10.
However, after finally being promoted to the driver's seat, Malcolm began working across many different farming enterprises across the UK gaining a wealth of valuable experience. This has enabled him to progress his career all the way up to management. Malcolm Studied Agriculture at the SAC gaining a BSc in Agriculture and is also BASIS and FACTS Qualified.
Away from the farm you may find Malcolm playing a few tunes on his Fiddle, Skiing down some freshly groomed pistes or enjoying the sunshine on a beach somewhere hot. However, he's assured us you will never catch him at a football match.
Ollie joined ATB on a full time basis back In 2017 after graduating Loughborough with a degree in Engineering Management. However, being one of Russell and Daniel's nephews, Ollie has been involved in the farm from a much younger age driving all sorts of machinery through his school holidays.
With perfectionism in his blood, Ollie has quickly progressed into the management and delivery of our Sports projects. Having gained an abundance of experience on the tools growing up, Ollie has a depth of knowledge to be able to assess, advise, price, and manage sports projects large and small. A keen, but average, sportsman himself, Ollie has a great passion for the industry and loves the influence he can now have, just from a slightly different perspective.
In his spare time, Ollie's passion for his work is reflected in his pristinely kept garden - particularly the lawn! When he is not mowing the lawn, he loves a game of rugby or cricket and sometimes attempts a round of golf. In the winter season, Ollie also enjoys some country sporting and turns his hand to a bit of game shooting.
Russell is the eldest son of Alan and Audrey Bone and was eager to be involved in farming as soon as his legs would carry him. He spent all his spare time with his father out on the farm at Hunsdon.
School did not enthuse Russell, as a youngster he longed to be outside working on the farm. Together with Daniel under the watchful eye of Alan, they have built the business from strength to strength through sheer hard work and determination.
Russell believes over the years he has achieved a degree from the University of life, he is keen for younger members of the team to get as much experience across the business as possible and always welcomes new ideas and business connections.
Russell remains heavily involved in the business today, he oversees the financial side of the business and is the driving force behind the business strategy, planning and growth of ATB, always looking for new opportunities. When Russell is not crunching numbers or attending meetings, he is in the thick of the manual work. During harvest he is found driving one of our combines.
In his spare time, Russell likes to travel with his wife, Sheila and is a keen skier and likes to socialise with friends. Russell is also a keen shot and during the season is accompanied on his peg by his loyal companion "Nutty".