Sian Pritchard
This year, the AEA reached the historic milestone of 150 years since its founding in 1875 and it has been a huge honour and privilege for me to be President during this landmark year.
Sian Pritchard
This year, the AEA reached the historic milestone of 150 years since its founding in 1875 and it has been a huge honour and privilege for me to be President during this landmark year.
This significant anniversary presented us with an opportunity not only to recognise our long-standing role as the voice of the agricultural machinery and outdoor power equipment industries, but also to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the sector through a period of accelerated change. We have spent this historic year honouring our heritage while advocating for a future where technology and innovation drive a resilient, post-Brexit agricultural sector.
The land-based engineering sector remains one of the UK’s most innovative and technologically advanced industries. Increasing adoption of automation, dataled decision-making, AI-driven solutions, and advanced materials continues to redefine modern farming and land management.
Our industry plays a central role in addressing global challenges including:
• Sustainable food production
• Climate change mitigation
• Environmental stewardship and resource management
New technology—from autonomous machinery to precision spraying systems— demonstrates the sector’s capacity to lead in productivity, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
However, alongside significant opportunities, the industry continues to face challenges in trade, skills availability, regulatory evolution, and technological adaptation, especially in the post-EU landscape. As ever, our sector demonstrates resilience and an ability to innovate in response.
The most pressing strategic issue facing our sector remains the shortage of skilled labour and the limited awareness among young people of the career opportunities within land-based engineering. Addressing this challenge is one of the key priorities for the Association, and during my year as President, the AEA has continued to invest in raising visibility through the “We Are Land Based Engineering” campaign. As the campaign gains traction and increases its reach, we are pleased to have been able to initiate discussions with the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, among others.
The “We Are Land Based Engineering” initiative provides:
• Targeted digital content
• Website resources
• Career promotion tools
• Social media engagement across key platforms
Members are encouraged to actively support this campaign through sharing content, participating in school and college careers events, and promoting real-life career stories from across the industry. Our collective voice remains essential if we are to attract the next generation of engineers and technicians to our industry.
This special anniversary year provided an important platform to both celebrate our history and strengthen our future direction.
Key activities have included the AEA Conference, bringing together stakeholders to celebrate industry progress and explore opportunities in innovation, sustainability, and talent development.
We held a Parliamentary Reception at the Palace of Westminster, welcoming 150 guests from government, industry, and the media. This was an event designed to highlight the importance of land-based engineering to the UK’s economy and to elevate discussions around skills, innovation, and sustainability.
The year concluded with a Black-Tie celebration at the Science Museum, to recognise the sector’s contribution to engineering excellence and celebrate our members and partners who have shaped the last century and a half.
These events are not only celebratory but also strategically significant in strengthening our external engagement and the public perception of our industry. The macro forces influencing the agricultural engineering and outdoor power industries—volatile markets, unpredictable weather, rapid innovation— remain familiar, yet the speed and complexity with which they evolve continue to increase.
To lead effectively over the next decade, we will need to :
• Evolve with purpose by aligning innovation with practical needs
• Act confidently in shaping the agenda on technology, trade, and sustainability
• Remain agile in responding to regulatory and market pressures
• Strengthen collaboration within and beyond the Association
Most importantly, we must expand our reach and visibility. The future success of the industry relies on attracting new talent, engaging with policymakers, and articulating clearly the value of land-based engineering to society, the economy, and the environment.
The success of the past year, and the past century and a half, is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity and collaborative spirit of our members.
From the steam engines of 1875 to the autonomous, data-driven fleets of 2026, the AEA will continue to evolve and support the industry we serve. As we navigate the challenges of food security and environmental stewardship, our commitment to innovation and advocacy remains stronger than ever.
I am proud to have been able to play my part within this historic and hugely important organisation. Together, we can ensure that the next chapter of the AEA’s history is even more impactful than the last.
Thank you for your support and commitment.