Speakers

Lutfi and Ruby Radwan founded Willowbrook Farm in Oxfordshire after they made the life-changing decision to give up their careers in academia to become first generation farmers. With little experience, but plenty of energy and commitment, they have created a stunning example of a socially and environmentally sustainable lifestyle and business. Their impressive journey illustrates one family’s determination to change their relationship with the food they consume, the energy they use and the waste they produce.

Ruby and Lutfi strive to live a simple farming life, championing responsible stewardship in tune with nature and the seasons, whilst minimising their impact on the environment and encouraging nature to flourish, devoid of any chemicals or pesticides. Land rights, community relationships, access to land, activism and climate justice are topics which they’re particularly passionate about, making them perfect interviewees and public speakers on those subjects.

Over the past 23 years, Willowbrook has blossomed from a humble family farm to a multi-generational concern, supplying customers across the UK. Their inspiring story has led to the Radwan family appearing on ITV1’s Love Your Weekend, BBC2’s My Unique B&B, Channel 5’s Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild and Springtime on the Farm, as well as numerous interviews on Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. The family most recently featured in the ITV1 documentary Ramadan: A Journey Through Britain, which aired in April 2024. They have also appeared on the popular podcast On Jimmy’s Farm and contributed to the likes of the Guardian, the Observer and Geographical magazine.

A journey into the unknown

In 2002, Lutfi and Ruby sold their home, embracing the unknown to transform 43 acres of farmland into a sustainable farm business. They now reside in a handcrafted cob-house powered by sustainable energy, having built a thriving, eco-friendly farm rooted in social, economic, and environmental resilience. Their bold leap has paid off—they're still standing strong.