Jahama new farm manager is part of ‘inspiration’ vision
Jahama Highland Estates (JHE) says it wants to become a ‘beacon of inspiration’ for landscape-based asset management and its hiring of a 25-year-old female farm manager to oversee 12,000 acres is the latest step in delivering that vision.
Chloe Malcolm is the new manager of Jahama’s upland farming operations in the Glenshero and Inverlair areas.
Born and brought up on a local Highlands farm, she has experience in farming in Devon, Dumfries and on Bute.
Her appointment, at one of Scotland’s largest hill farming operations, represents a departure from the usual demographic for a farm manager. Only 16 per cent of farm managers in Scotland are female, and only four per cent are under 35.
Ms Malcolm, who is based at Killiechonate, has been brought in with a mandate to innovate and to enhance Jahama’s meat offering – including focusing on rearing good quality native sheep, with the possibility of expanding into native cattle and venison.
Jahama’s farms have nearly 600 sheep reared on land close to settlements in the glens where conditions permit. Over time, the company hopes to create more opportunities for partners to farm on Jahama’s land in order to enhance economic opportunities for local communities.
Ms Malcolm commented: ‘I’m thrilled to be taking on this new challenge. Our goal is to produce good quality livestock as part of our sustainable estate business – while taking good care of the landscape and of natural resources.’
Jahama’s chief operating officer, Julia Stoddart, said Ms Malcolm will bring energy and enthusiasm to the farming operation, which was of vital importance to the local economy and environment.
Jahama is part of the GFG Alliance, which also owns and manages the Alvance aluminium smelter based in Fort William.
Ms Stoddart is based at the smelter, from where she leads the strategic oversight and direct management of the staff and the whole landholding that stretches from the western edge of the
Cairngorm National Park to Kinlochleven, taking in the Mamore, Killiechonate and Glenshero estates.
Asked to explain more about her decision to employ a dedicated farm manager, Ms Stoddart told us: ‘Jahama Highland Estates’ management focuses on genuine sustainability.
‘Each management decision is taken holistically, considering the three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, the economy and society. No single issue is dealt with in isolation, and by taking this
approach, we can ensure long-term viability.
‘We aim to position JHE as a beacon of inspiration for landscape-based asset management. Employing a dedicated farm manager is a significant step in delivering our vision for JHE; our current native breed
sheep farming enterprise will be optimised to expand our local meat offering into native cattle and possibly venison. As well as providing local food, this will also help us to enhance our carbon-rich grazing land.
‘I needed a farm manager with upland experience and practical know-how, who also thinks outside the box and is keen to manage our farmland in an adaptive way.
‘Chloe brings exactly those skills, along with energy and passion for the Highlands. Chloe and I will work together with the rest of the staff team to drive forward our vision for the whole estate.’
And Ms Stoddart added: ‘Chloe was born and raised in the area but has worked away to broaden her experience. She had been providing assistance to the JHE sheep flock on a part-time basis as an agricultural contractor,
but she wasn’t shy in coming to me with innovative ideas for the farm.
‘Our recruitment of Chloe is testament to the fact that we have talented and ambitious young people in Lochaber, who we believe must be encouraged to stay and thrive in the area wherever possible.’