Dick is first Scots head of CAAV
James Dick, one of the country’s leading farm consultants, has become the first ever Scottish president of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) – and hopes to highlight the role the organisation can play in the current uncertain times.
Dick, elected to head the 2,800 member organisation at the end of June, said: “We face continuing uncertainty on so many fronts, it’s difficult to prepared for that uncertainty, and react swiftly and positively to produce solid, objective information and analysis as events unfold.”
As well as advising businesses, Dick said the CAAV also worked closely with the government, provid- ing practical advice on the implementation of policy.
He said he aimed to use his term in office to increase awareness of the organisation and its capabilities amongst the general agricultural industry and fellow professionals such as solicitors, accountants and bank managers, with whom its members frequently worked.
“And I want to encourage new entrants who maybe aren’t from traditional farming backgrounds as they bring a fresh perspective to the industry. It’s so important to ask challenging questions and encourage new approaches.”
Originally from a non-farming background himself, Dick was born and brought up in Ayrshire, and, encouraged by summer farm jobs, went on to Aberdeen University where he took a degree in agriculture.
A former president of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers’ Association, Dick said that the special skills of agricultural valuers which equipped them to carry out work across a broad spread of rural matters were likely to be much in demand as the industry geared up to face the challenges of Brexit.