Professor Colin Campbell new chief of JHI

The new chief executive of the James Hutton Institute (JHI) is Professor Colin Campbell, writes Nancy Nicolson.

Professor Campbell has been interim chief executive of the Invergowrie-based scientific research organisation since September.

The appointment follows an international head-hunting exercise which resulted in more than 60 candidates.

The JHI board chairman Ray Perman said the appointment had not been a “foregone conclusion”.

He added: “The board has been impressed by the way Colin has handled the interim appointment.

“Against a continuing difficult economic background, he has had to make some unpopular decisions for the good of the institute but he has continued to encourage innovation and to look for investment to take the institute forward,” he said.

Professor Campbell said he was thrilled and, while he had been at the institute for a long time, his appointment didn’t mean it would be business as usual.

He said: “We have had to adapt already over the last five years to a changing and challenging situation.

“The pace of change will only quicken, and we need to respond quickly and decisively.

“The compelling need for our science to tackle food and environmental security issues, and the high quality science and innovation we offer, means we can tackle the future together with confidence and optimism.”

Professor Campbell takes up his post with immediate effect.

He was previously director of science excellence and has been leading several initiatives to bring the Hutton’s science closer to the needs of people, government, policy and industry.

He has been responsible for the strategic development of the excellence of the institute’s scientists, facilities and resources since 2011 at the inception of the institute.

The James Hutton Institute employs 550 scientific and support staff at two main locations in Aberdeen and Invergowrie. It also runs three research farms.

Picture: JHI. Professor Colin Campbell, new chief of the JHI.