Happy #International Women’s Day
GS Agri Systems’ Director Adene Scullion gives an insight into her role in the agricultural industry and how it can offer so many career opportunities for women.
How did you get into the agricultural industry? My husband, Gabriel, has worked in agriculture all his life and is from a farming family so it stemmed from there. Gabriel decided back in 2015 he would like to work for himself, and that’s where it all started really. I began working with Gabriel in 2015 whilst also in full-time employment. As the business got busier we saw an opportunity for me to go full-time so I left my job to work for the family business.
What does GS Agri Systems do? We specialise in water quality – from analyzing water to designing bespoke water filtration systems. We also supply and install rainwater harvesting systems, external water storage tanks, and boost pumps, alongside dosing systems and chemicals.
What is your role in the company? I manage the office looking after sales, marketing, purchasing, and accounts but you can also find me getting stuck in doing a sales pitch or farm talk in my wellies!
What are the best aspects of your job? Being your own boss, managing your time, and making decisions.
What challenges have you met and overcome? Like every company, we have been faced with many challenges. For me personally, it has been selling into a new industry and trying to make a go of it. Of course, the most recent challenges have been as a result of Brexit and adjusting to the new rules and requirements. For example, we have had to look at sourcing products from the EU as it’s proving very difficult to get supplies from GB. I have also had to research and learn about the details of biosecurity so I can confidently advise farmers and produce relevant quotations.
I never in a million years thought I would know so much about Red Mite’s breeding cycle!
How do balance work life and family life? Being a mum of two and running your own business can be tricky. I’m a very organised person and think this helps keep me on track with work and home life. Sometimes work creeps into family time and vice versa but I try to run a tight ship so that each gets the focus it needs and requires.
What advice would you give to females thinking about a career in agriculture? Go for it! It may seem daunting but there are so many inspiring females in this great industry to look up to. It’s a fantastic industry to work in and I have no regrets whatsoever.
