Where Sustainability Meets Practical Agronomy

Charlie Curtis is a seasoned agronomist and sustainability expert who has been heading agriculture sustainability at British Sugar since April 2024. With a career spanning over two decades, Curtis brings a wealth of experience in sustainable agriculture, regenerative farming, and environmental stewardship to her role.

At British Sugar, Curtis integrates sustainable practices into the company’s agricultural operations. Her responsibilities include overseeing initiatives to reduce environmental impact, enhance soil health, and promote biodiversity across the company’s supply chain.

Under her leadership, British Sugar has explored innovative technologies and practices to achieve these goals.

One notable project involves testing autonomous robots, such as the Robotti and FarmDroid, in collaboration with partners like Sentry, the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO), and Opico. These robots are designed to plant sugar beet seeds and perform weed control autonomously, thereby reducing the need for chemical herbicides and minimising soil compaction. The Robotti, for instance, uses GPS technology to navigate fields and can differentiate between crops and weeds, allowing for precise treatments. The FarmDroid operates on solar power, making it a CO₂-neutral solution for seeding and weeding tasks. These initiatives reflect Curtis’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture.

Curtis’s approach is deeply rooted in her belief that real change in the food system begins at the farm level. She emphasises the importance of working directly with farmers to redesign farming systems that are resilient to climate change, economically viable, and environmentally regenerative. Her philosophy aligns with British Sugar's broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Before joining British Sugar, Curtis held several key positions that shaped her expertise in sustainable agriculture. She served as the Head of Agriculture and Environment at the Cool Farm Alliance, where she focused on developing tools for measuring environmental footprints on farms. She also founded Progressive Agriculture Services Ltd, providing consultancy services to clients like LEAF, Waitrose, and the Royal Countryside Fund. Her work has consistently centred on creating farming models that balance ethical, economic, and environmental considerations.

Curtis’s extensive experience includes roles at G’s Group, where she was Head of Future Farming and Technical, and Marks and Spencer, where she was a Senior Agronomist. In these positions, she was instrumental in implementing sustainable sourcing strategies and developing innovative agricultural practices. Her efforts have led to tangible outcomes, such as reducing packaging waste and introducing water-efficient methods in horticulture.

Moving to the future, Curtis is focused on driving British Sugar’s sustainability agenda by fostering collaborations with growers, researchers, and technology providers. She aims to create a resilient agricultural system that meets the company’s production needs and contributes positively to the environment. Through her leadership, British Sugar aims to set new standards in sustainable agriculture, ensuring that its operations align with environmental responsibility and innovation principles.