Four New Members Appointed to Quality Meat Scotland Board in 2014

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, has announced the appointment of four members to the Board of Quality Meat Scotland  (QMS).  The new appointees are Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Sarah Mackie, George Milne and Philip Sleigh and they will take up their appointments on April 1, 2014.

The Cabinet Secretary said “I am very pleased that Julie, Sarah, George and Philip have accepted a seat on the Board from next April.  Their collective skills and wide knowledge of the factors that influence the red meat sector will be a great asset to Quality Meat Scotland.”

Jim McLaren, Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland said “The ability of Quality Meat Scotland’s board to deliver fully on behalf of the Scottish red meat industry depends on the collective energy, breadth of key skills and depth of experience of each of those who serve on it.

“The four individuals appointed by the Cabinet Secretary who have been announced today will bring an impressive portfolio of skills and experience to the board.

“Along with the existing board members, they share a great passion for the different areas of our industry in which they specialise and will, I am certain, make a valuable contribution to the board’s commitment to deliver strongly on behalf of our industry.

“We look forward to welcoming these four new board members who will join us in April 2014.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick

Professor Fitzpatrick is the Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and Chief Executive of the Moredun Group.  She also holds a Chair in Food Security in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

Sarah Mackie

Sarah Mackie farms in Aberdeenshire.  She is also Head of local sourcing for Tesco with four regional offices in the UK.  She previously spent six years with Safeway including two years as beef buyer.

George Milne

George Milne is a sheep farmer in Fife with practical knowledge of breeding livestock.  He is also a Development Officer for the NSA Scottish Region. 

Philip Sleigh

Philip Sleigh has farmed in Aberdeenshire for over 30 years.  Although he has experience of cattle and sheep management, his main focus is a sow herd and finishing all progeny.  He is a Director of both NFU Scotland and Scottish Pig Producers.

These appointments will be for four years and will run from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2018.

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £157.33 per day for a time commitment of 10 to 15 days per year.

The appointments are regulated by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  Philip Sleigh has confirmed that he has been a Board Member of the National Farmers Union for the last six years.  The three other appointees have confirmed that they are not involved in any political activity.