Ethan Desai will take a leading role in the firm’s highly respected Agriculture and Rural Business team. The team, which is an integral part of the agricultural scene in Kent, is expert in helping clients to meet the challenges of running their businesses in an ever-changing economic climate.

Ethan, 40, qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and specialised in rural and agricultural property matters at top 100 firms in the Midlands before joining Furley Page in 2016.He has acted for landowners in relation to renewable energy projects, residential and commercial development schemes and provides general estate management and tenancy advice.

Since joining Furley Page’s Agriculture and Rural Business team, Ethan has been recognised by Chambers UK and the Legal 500, both top independent national guides to excellence in the legal sector.

Welcoming Ethan’s promotion, Peter Hawkes, senior partner at Furley Page, said: “Ethan has made a very strong contribution to the development of our agriculture team and I am delighted that he has been deservedly promoted to Partner. Ethan has considerable expertise in agricultural and rural business law and renewable energy, and his involvement at partnership level will be a valuable asset for us in the future.”

Furley Page’s expertise in agriculture and rural business services is recommended by The Legal 500, while the team is also regarded as a recognised practitioner by Chambers UK, which are both independent guides to the legal profession.

Jeremy Licence, managing partner and head of real estate at Furley Page, said: “Ethan is a first class lawyer with considerable experience and an excellent background representing rural and agricultural clients. This promotion reflects the fantastic contribution Ethan has made to the work of our team over the past two years.”

Ethan is married with a son and, appropriately for a rural affairs lawyer, enjoys a range of outdoor activities including cycling and mountain and hill walking. He is a member of the Agricultural Law Association and the Country Land and Business Association.