ADAS

What ADAS does

ADAS is the UK's largest independent provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy, policy advice, and applied research, operating as RSK ADAS Limited within the RSK Group. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Helsby, UK, the firm employs 450 scientists, advisors, and consultants across more than 60 environmental and agricultural disciplines, serving farmers, agricultural businesses, developers, landowners, government bodies, and food producers. Its core offerings span six practice areas: Agriculture (arable, horticulture, livestock, soil and water quality), Biotechnology (eDNA diagnostics for species detection and microbial source tracking), Climate Change & Sustainability (net zero, water stewardship, responsible sourcing), Data & Evaluation (digital solutions, environmental modelling, remote sensing), Environment (ecology, biodiversity net gain, arboriculture, archaeology), and Planning & Land Development (planning approvals, land referencing, renewable energy development). Proprietary tools include the Farmscoper decision support system, the LUMEO land use management and optimisation platform, the NMPT-GB nutrient management planning tool (launched 2026 in partnership with Defra, AHDB, and RSK Business Solutions), and a DNA-based Fusarium Basal Rot soil test (co-developed with University of Warwick, funded by Innovate UK).

The business operates as a B2B professional services consultancy on a project-based, quote-based pricing model with multi-year contracts. Revenue is generated through applied research contracts, policy advisory engagements, and ongoing monitoring services for government departments (Defra, AHDB, Innovate UK), water utilities (Affinity Water, Portsmouth Water), research institutions (University of Warwick, Rothamsted Research, Niab, John Innes Centre), and landowners. The firm markets primarily through content (website, newsletters, social media), industry events, and direct client engagement, with international reach available through its RSK Group parent. ADAS also administers the ADOPT Fund, a grant programme (Round 6 offering up to £5 million) for UK farmers, positioning it as both a research provider and a policy delivery partner.

Name

ADAS

Legal name

RSK ADAS Limited

Website

https://adas.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ADAS is the UK's largest independent agricultural and environmental consultancy, employing 450 scientists across 60+ disciplines. It delivers applied research, policy advice, and practical on-farm solutions to farmers, government bodies, developers, and food producers as part of RSK Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural and Environmental Consultancy

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Data Management & Decision Support Services (FMIS Setup, Data Integration, Analytics) (AFACACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting) (AFAAAFAF), Farm Management & Decision Support Software (FMIS, ERP, Recordkeeping) (AFAGALAA), Farm Data Platforms, Integration & APIs (Interoperability/Middleware) (AFAAAFAG), Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) & Farm ERPs (AFAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural consultancy
• Environmental advisory
• Crop research
• Land development
• Soil testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Agricultural and Environmental Consultancy: Professional consultancy services providing applied research, policy advice, and independent advisory services to agricultural businesses, landowners, developers, government bodies, and food producers.
2. Research and Development Services: Contract research services for government agencies, industry bodies, and private sector clients including disease monitoring, fungicide efficacy testing, and environmental assessments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ADAS provides independent agricultural and environmental consultancy, applied research, and policy advice through 450 scientists working across more than 60 scientific disciplines. It also develops proprietary decision-support tools (Farmscoper, LUMEO, NMPT-GB) and biotechnology products (eDNA analysis, Fusarium Basal Rot Soil Test), and operates industry networks such as the Yield Enhancement Network, serving farmers, land developers, food producers, and government bodies across the UK.

Product overview

ADAS offers a comprehensive portfolio of agricultural and environmental consultancy services organized into six core service areas: Agriculture (including arable farming, livestock, horticulture, and soil/water quality), Biotechnology (molecular diagnostics including eDNA testing), Climate Change & Sustainability (net zero, water stewardship, responsible sourcing), Data & Evaluation (including decision support tools like Farmscoper and LUMEO), Environment (ecology, biodiversity, archaeology), and Planning & Land Development. The company also provides specialized tools such as the NMPT-GB nutrient management planning tool and the Fusarium Basal Rot soil DNA test. Additional offerings include expert witness services, training programs through the Yield Enhancement Network, and BASIS-certified courses. These services are delivered by 450 scientists and advisors across 60+ environmental and agricultural disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agriculture Services
• ADAS Biotechnology
• Climate Change & Sustainability Services
• Data & Evaluation Services
• Environment Services
• Planning & Land Development Services
• Expert Witness
• Training & Networks
• Farmscoper Decision Support Tool
• LUMEO
• NMPT-GB Nutrient Management Planning Tool
• Yield Enhancement Network (YEN)
• Fusarium Basal Rot Soil Test

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced nitrate leaching losses by up to 90% compared to weedy stubble control
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DefracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Partner in development of NMPT-GB nutrient management planning tool launched for farmers and land managers in England and Wales.
• AHDBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board partnered with ADAS and RSK Business Solutions to develop NMPT-GB tool using AHDB Nutrient Management Guide guidance.
• John Innes CentreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Scientific partner leading precision-breeding research for Europe's first precision-bred oilseed rape under £2.5m LLS-ERASED project.
• University of HertfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Research partner in LLS-ERASED project developing precision-bred oilseed rape varieties.
• BOFIN FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Led the £2.5m three-year LLS-ERASED project for Europe's first precision-bred oilseed rape.
• AHDBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025AHDB's largest single CSFB research investment valued at approximately £750,000, with a third from industry partners, involving ADAS, Niab, and Rothamsted Research.
• NiabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Research partner in CSFB Research+ project addressing cabbage stem flea beetle control in England.
• Rothamsted ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Research partner in CSFB Research+ project addressing cabbage stem flea beetle control in England.
• AHDBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2025AHDB awarded £821,755 contract to ADAS-led consortium for three-year fungicide efficacy data project assessing performance against diseases in wheat, barley, and oilseed rape.
• Harper Adams UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2025Research partner in AHDB-funded fungicide efficacy consortium delivering performance data over three years.
• SRUCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2025Research partner in AHDB-funded fungicide efficacy consortium delivering performance data over three years.
• RSK GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSK ADAS Limited is part of RSK Group Limited, an international environmental consultancy. This parent-subsidiary relationship provides ADAS with global reach and access to integrated environmental services across Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
• Affinity WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder of ADAS research study on cover crops demonstrating 90% reduction in nitrate leaching losses and increased soil nitrogen supply.
• Portsmouth WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder of ADAS research study on cover crops demonstrating environmental benefits including reduced nitrate leaching.
• University of WarwickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Warwick's Crop Centre to develop DNA soil test for Fusarium Basal Rot detection in UK onion fields, funded by Innovate UK and Defra.
• AHDBcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerADAS completed review of grain contaminants enabling AHDB to issue new guidance on ergot management practices for UK cereal sector.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Global design, engineering, and environmental consultancy with significant UK environment and ecology capability. Comparable to ADAS's Environment Services and biodiversity net gain offerings, but as a broad incumbent rather than an agriculture-focused specialist.
• WSP: Global professional services firm with a sizeable environment, planning, and ecology practice serving UK and international developers and public-sector clients. A broad incumbent that competes with ADAS's Planning & Land Development and Environment Services lines, but without ADAS's agricultural specialism.

Direct peers

• Niab: UK crop science organisation providing agronomy, variety testing, and applied agricultural research to levy boards, government, and growers. Closest direct peer to ADAS: competes for the same Defra/AHDB research contracts and runs complementary applied-research programmes (NIAB is itself a co-research partner with ADAS on CSFB Research+).
• Agrii: Major UK agronomy services and crop inputs provider offering on-farm advice, trials, and decision support to arable and horticultural growers. Closest commercial (non-academic) peer to ADAS's agricultural advisory business and a direct competitor for farmer-facing agronomy work.
• SRUC (Scotland's Rural College): UK land-based college delivering applied agricultural and environmental research, consultancy, and education across the UK. Directly comparable to ADAS as a research-plus-consultancy provider; SRUC is also a current ADAS consortium partner on AHDB's fungicide efficacy work.
• NatureMetrics: UK eDNA and biodiversity monitoring specialist serving infrastructure, water utility, and conservation clients. Directly comparable to ADAS Biotechnology (Great Crested Newt eDNA, crayfish eDNA, microbial source tracking) and a commercial competitor in the same regulatory-driven niche.
• CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International): International not-for-profit providing scientific expertise, agricultural research, and invasive-species management to governments and agribusiness. Closely comparable to ADAS in mission and customer mix, and stronger on global reach.
• Soil Association: UK charity providing organic certification, sustainability advisory, and farming research. Comparable to ADAS in offering sustainability, carbon, and land-use advisory services to farmers, food producers, and policymakers in the UK.
• Rothamsted Research: UK's oldest agricultural research institute, delivering applied and strategic R&D in crop science, soils, and pest management. Directly comparable to ADAS's research arm; an ADAS partner on the £750k CSFB Research+ consortium and a competitor for Defra/UKRI funding.

Emerging players

• Harper Adams University: UK's leading specialist agriculture university, increasingly active in applied agricultural research, crop trials, and agri-tech. Active ADAS partner on the AHDB fungicide efficacy consortium and an emerging competitor for levy-board-funded research work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ADASGroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rskadas
• Facebookfacebook.com/ADASGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/adas
• Instagraminstagram.com/adas.uk

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ADAS