QMS chairman hailed for his achievements at annual awards
Chairman of the country’s red meat promotion body, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Jim Mclaren was presented with an outstanding achievement award at this week’s annual Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards.
Mclaren, 50, who farms in Perthshire has been chairman of QMS since 2011 and will step down from the post later this year, having served the maximum of two full terms.
A former NFU Scotland president, he is a director of NFU Mutual, and has served on the board of SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) and is a trustee of The Cameron Trust.
The award – which recognises businesses and individuals in Scotland who are leading the way with innovation, enterprise and quality – follows on from his MBE granted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink, chief execu- tive, said he could think of few more deserving recipients of the award:
“Jim is a force of nature who has a rare ability to strongly lead but bring people with him at the same time.
“Whether championing the whole farming community or our world class red meat industry, rural Scotland is in a better place because of his efforts.”
Mclaren said he was surprised and delighted to have received the award, sponsored by the Scottish Government. Stating that working for the industry had been a “huge privilege” he said:
“It is the passion, dedication and innovation of those who work in our industry which has resulted in Scotland’s larder earning a global reputation for quality, sustainability and natural excellence.”