QMS Chair Kate Rowell wins National Women in Agriculture Ambassador of the Year Award  

The prestigious accolade recognises Kate’s outstanding commitment to championing Scottish agriculture, promoting red meat production, and acting as a powerful advocate for the farming sector at national level.

The National Women in Agriculture Awards aim to support and empower women in farming, while celebrating those making a significant impact in a traditionally male‑dominated industry. Held in the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London, the ceremony provided a platform to recognise leadership, advocacy and excellence across UK agriculture.

Kate has served as chair of QMS since 2018 and is widely respected for her ability to represent the interests of farmers, crofters and the wider supply chain. Through her ambassadorial work, she has played a key role in raising the profile of Scottish red meat, strengthening relationships with policymakers, and ensuring agriculture’s voice is heard at the highest levels. Just some examples include:

• Scottish Government Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) member and past representative on the first Just Transition Commission, supporting a fair transition to a resilient, low carbon economy in Scotland.
• Being a key spokesperson for the highly successful Meating Our Potential campaign in collaboration with the Scottish Read Meat Resilience Group (SRMRG), raising awareness of Scotland’s significant beef sector economic opportunity, with key results including the Scottish Government rejecting the Climate Change Committees policy recommendations to reduce livestock numbers which would have a detrimental impact on our agriculture sector and wider economy.
• Supporting a series of strategic political engagements events with the SRMRG in the run up to the Holyrood election, which brought 74 MPs, MSPs, councillors and candidates from all major political parties to farms, learning centres and industry facilities across 11 key regions in Scotland.

Under Kate’s leadership to set out an ambitious five-year Strategy, QMS has continued to drive forward its vision for Scotland to be recognised as The Choice for Premium Red Meat, with a strong focus on sustainability, provenance and people.

Kate Rowell, Chair of Quality Meat Scotland, commented: “I am absolutely delighted and humbled to receive the Ambassador of the Year award. This recognition reflects not just my work, but the collective effort of those across Scottish agriculture who are passionate about telling our story, committed to ongoing improvement and securing a positive future for the sector. I am proud to play a role in championing an industry that contributes so much to our economy, environment and rural communities.”

The National Women in Agriculture Awards celebrate women like Kate, whose leadership, integrity and advocacy are helping to shape a confident and progressive future for farming.

Congratulations to all winners on the night, including Caroline Millar of Scottish Agritourism who was named 2026 Trade Organisation Woman of the Year, and Cora Cooper of Cooper Farms, who was named Sustainability Champion of the Year.

Well done also to Quality Meat Scotland Chief Executive Sarah Millar who was shortlisted for Trade Organisation of the Year, and our Monitor Farm Programme Manager Beth MacKinnon, who was shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year.