Being a self-employed Agent

As you’ll be running your own business, how you manage your time is your own decision. However, the demands of the job dictate that the role is full time and is not suitable for somebody looking to work part-time hours. Please note, where relevant you will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per month for the relevant Farming Union.

No. NFU Mutual operates via a tied agency network through which our products and services are sold, and NFU Mutual members are supported.

Self-employment means that your contractual relationship with NFU Mutual will be through an Agency Agreement. This clearly sets out both your responsibilities and those of NFU Mutual. Essentially you will be running your own business and be responsible for your tax liabilities. We would recommend that you discuss these aspects with a qualified accountant.

No, as you would be self employed we cannot guarantee your income. The starting income advertised indicates the level that NFU Mutual would reasonably expect you to earn in the first year, based on the current renewal income of the agency. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll earn less than this in your first year, though it is not a guarantee. After this, your income will be as great as your ambition. It’s worth noting that the advertised income for Group Secretary roles includes the relevant farming union salary, which is based on working 20 hours per month at National Minimum Wage.

As a self-employed person you will not receive maternity rights or sickness benefit. However, NFU Mutual does allow commissioned Agents to draw commission for 8 weeks (increasing to 12 weeks after 5 years service) where absent due to maternity or sickness. We recommend that our Agents make adequate arrangements for sickness and accident insurance.

As a commissioned Agent your agency business would be registered with the FSA as an Appointed Representative of NFU Mutual. You will be required to be registered with the FSA as an Approved Person. As such you would be required to meet the FSA Fit and Proper requirements of Integrity, Competency and Solvency. Before your appointment can be confirmed you will need to fill in an FSA questionnaire and complete a solvency check to ensure that your assets exceed your liabilities.

While we want you to run the agency as your own business, you will have the reassurance of being backed by NFU Mutual which has a clear intent to grow all aspects of its business within a defined target customer base. Support is on hand via a regional team of Agency Development Managers, Agency Training Specialists and Sales Consultants, as well as a raft of support from our Head Office in Stratford-upon-Avon.

In addition, you’ll be supported in your Farming Union responsibilities by regional farm policy advisers, membership and public relations staff, and by a Business Development Manager assigned to your office. There is also plentiful support available through the NFU Headquarters in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire; NFU Scotland Headquarters in Ingliston, Midlothian or Ulster Farms Union Headquarters in Belfast.

We believe that in order to drive our business forward, our Agents need to be in control of investing in and growing and developing a valuable local business in an entrepreneurial way. Your income will come from the commission earned by the agency and as this is unlimited you can increase your income in accordance with the growth of the agency business.

Most of NFU Mutual’s agencies are fully established offices with a current team of staff. When you’re appointed as an Agent, you take over the position as their employer under TUPE regulations. Going forward you will be responsible for recruiting and managing your team as their employer, including performance management and financial arrangements such as PAYE and NI. We recommend that you discuss these aspects with a qualified accountant.