Alan Laidlaw, who has been given the newly-created role, has more than 25 years of experience in agriculture and land management.
The commissioner position aims to offer a trusted and impartial point of contact for tenants, landlords and advisors, ensuring fair practice and tackling poor behaviour across the sector.
Mr Laidlaw spent more than a decade on the senior management team at The Crown Estate, where he oversaw a 250,000-acre rural portfolio, one of the largest agricultural tenanted estates in the country.
During his time there, he introduced innovative tenancy agreements and co-investment models that delivered sustainable revenue growth for both tenants and the landowner.
“I am honoured to be appointed as England’s first Commissioner for the tenant farming sector, supporting this vital sector with the fair framework it needs to thrive,” he said.
“Having worked across farming, land management and the rural economy, I know how strong tenant-landlord relationships can drive innovation, resilience and shared success.
“I look forward to working with farmers, landlords and advisors to promote best practice, address challenges, and help build a fair, profitable and sustainable future for tenant farming in England.”
Emma Reynolds, Defra Secretary of State, said Mr Laidlaw’s “decades of experience in farming and land management make him uniquely placed to strengthen relationships and drive-up standards across the sector”.
She added: “This appointment will provide an impartial voice between tenants and landowners to promote best practice and foster fair, collaborative relationships as we deliver on our Plan for Change to back farmers and build a sustainable future.”
The commissioner will promote the standards set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, working with Defra and the Farm Tenancy Forum.
Mr Laidlaw’s responsibilities will include investigating complaints, monitoring trends, providing guidance, and issuing regular reports on the state of tenant-landlord relationships.
George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, said: “Having worked with Alan previously, I am sure that he will be thorough, diligent and impactful in this important role.
“Alan’s appointment marks a crucial step forward in cementing the industry-approved Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice into the landlord tenant system of agriculture in England. Alan’s appointment will bring focus on achieving better relationships between landlords and tenants for their mutual benefit and improvements in the conduct of all parties, including landlord’s agents.
“The TFA looks forward to supporting Alan in this vital work.”
Country Land and Business Association president Victoria Vyvyan added: “The CLA supports a vibrant tenanted sector and we welcome Alan Laidlaw into the role of Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector.
“It is crucial for the healthy future of the farm tenancy sector that the commissioner works independently, and is fair and balanced for landlords, agents and tenants. The role must have the resources to properly assess any cases that reach them.
“The Farm Tenancy Forum has done much to bring landlords and tenants to a better understanding and way of working, and we look forward to working with the commissioner in continuing this progress.”