Ivy Farm: Transforming First-Time Manager Training

The Challenge: Traditional Training Was Failing in a Fast-Paced Startup Environment

When Ivy Farm evaluated their training approach, they uncovered a significant efficiency problem. Training was always seen as a "heavy lift"—very traditional, classroom-based, and face-to-face. Trying to find a time when everybody could do the same three-hour session was "near to impossible" and felt like "herding cats."

The scheduling burden was equally problematic. In a startup environment where priorities shift quickly and teams need to pivot rapidly, dedicating half a day per training topic simply wasn't feasible. Employees needed to upskill but didn't have the time, creating a challenging juxtaposition.

The old approach meant learning in isolation, which was "one-dimensional and quite lonely." Managers were aware they needed to learn but also wanted to learn from others. Meanwhile, waiting for a course to happen in the workplace could mean delays of two months or more. This fragmented approach was preventing efficient skills development whilst failing to deliver an engaging, accessible learning experience. Something had to change.

Industry

Food Technology / Cultivated Meat

No. of employees

50 - 60

Location

Oxford, UK

About: Ivy Farm Technologies is a pioneering cultivated meat company spun out of Oxford University in 2019. Co-founded by Dr. Russ Tucker and Professor Cathy Ye, the company uses cutting-edge bioengineering technology developed at Oxford to grow real meat from animal cells—without slaughter. Their 18,000 sq ft facility in Oxford, Europe's largest cultivated meat pilot plant, can produce 2.8 tonnes of meat annually. Having raised over $40 million in funding, Ivy Farm is on a mission to create guilt-free, sustainable meat that's good for the planet, people, and animals.

Ivy Farm Case Study - Leadership Training Transformation

From Half-Day Sessions to One Hour a Fortnight

How Ivy Farm Transformed First-Time Manager Training with a Flipped Classroom Approach

The Transformation: Flexible, Self-Paced Learning

BEFORE

⏰ 3-hour classroom sessions pulling everyone away from work

📅 Scheduling nightmares - "like herding cats" to find common times

🏢 Traditional face-to-face training that couldn't flex with startup priorities

😔 Learning in isolation - one-dimensional and lonely

⏳ Waiting months for the next available course

→

AFTER

⚡ Bite-sized modules completed at their own pace

🗓️ Just one hour a fortnight for focused group discussions

📱 Learn anywhere - on the bus, train, or phone

👥 Flipped classroom approach combining self-study with peer learning

🚀 Instant access to upskill - no waiting for scheduled courses

Why It Works: Building Confident Leaders

🔄 Flipped Classroom Model

Managers learn at their own pace, then come together to discuss and debate. Learning in isolation became collaborative growth - "they learned at their own pace and then coming together grew their knowledge in a very different way."

💬 Shared Language & Confidence

Managers now use terminology like "plusing" naturally in conversations. They've built a common language and approach that's boosted their confidence to handle challenges independently.

📋 Ready-Made Case Studies

No more hours of prep work. The provided case studies and open-ended questions created a "regular drum beat" for sessions - just tweak for your business and go.

📈 Real Behaviour Change

Managers now come with solutions, not just problems. "They had a whole plan, their approach, and knew how to attack the situation in the right way" - a true shift from seeking answers to sense-checking their own strategies.