Agricultural co-op inviting new directors

Ringlink, the farm machinery, labour and training cooperative based at Laurencekirk, is on the hunt for new directors to join its board.

The business has 3,000 members and a turnover of £63 million and it runs the industry’s land-based preapprenticeship scheme.

The co-op’s chair, James Porter from East Scryne, Carnoustie, said the business needed new directors to enable succession planning and to add to the range of skills and experience already on the board.

He said: “My time as a director and now chair has been a refreshing chance to look beyond my own business and be part of a bigger picture, and I would like to invite any members who are keen to contribute to a forward thinking, inquisitive and co-operative board to apply.”

Ringlink managing director Graham Bruce confirmed the business is growing and an average of 320 workers are supplied to businesses throughout the year. A new skills training centre has also been built.

Mr Bruce added: “Ringlink Services has been delivering training for more than 25 years to an extremely diverse customer base throughout Scotland and the wider UK.

“Last year, even with the challenges of training with social distancing, we had close to 7,000 trainees through our courses.

“We have a strong network of professional trainers and assessors who have expertise in delivering a range of legislative and practical short courses, such as health and safety, first aid, forklift operation, pesticides, chainsaw operation and ATVs and our training portfolio already exceeds 100 certified courses, along with online training events.”

The new training premises at Laurencekirk will run courses which include crane operation, excavation and dumpers.

Current board members are Peter Chapman (vicechair), Martin Cessford, Jane Craigie, John Farquharson, Michael Macaulay, James Orr, Clive Phillips and Andrew Stirling. Anyone interested in applying for a board position should contact the company secretary at laurencekirk@ ringlinkscotland.co.uk

TALENT POOL: Ringlink chairman James Porter is searching for new board members.