Red meat levy body seeking new chairman

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is on the hunt for a new chairman and up to four board members.

Current chairman Jim McLaren will end his second term at the helm of the red meat levy body later this year.

The four other board members standing down are Aberdeenshire pig farmer Philip Sleigh, Shetland-based beef and sheep farmer Ronnie Eunson, McIntosh Donald’s Portlethen site director Alan McNaughton and Easter Ross beef and sheep farmer John Scott.

QMS said all appointments to its board will be made by Scottish Ministers.

The new chairman and one board member will take up their appointments on September 1 and the other new board members will take up their posts on April 1 next year.

In a statement, QMS said: “The QMS board is comprised of a diverse mix of high calibre individuals, passionate about the future of the Scottish red meat sector.

“The board consists of up to 12 members, including the chairman.”

It said board members would help drive the organisation’s strategy to deliver a sustainable and prospering Scottish red meat industry, and its work to promote and protect the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands.

Chairman Jim McLaren was last year made an MBE for his “outstanding contributions to Scottish agriculture and the rural economy”.

He has been chairman of the organisation since 2011.