Kate Rowell Sets out Initial Priorities in New QMS Role

Quality Meat Scotland’s new chair, Kate Rowell, is spending her first few weeks in post travelling around Scotland to hear from people involved in all aspects of the Scottish red meat industry.   Mrs Rowell and Alan Clarke, QMS Chief Executive will be visiting auction markets, abattoirs, farmers and butchers as far afield as Dingwall and the Scottish borders during the coming weeks.   Her priority is to meet those working in different parts of the Scottish red meat chain and to hear their views and opinions as well as learning in greater depth about the challenges and opportunities which different parts of the industry face.   “I am extremely keen in my initial period in post to get out and about and hold as many face-to-face meetings with those working in our industry as possible.    “Having been a QMS board member for three years, and as a working farmer myself, I am very familiar with many of the challenges our industry faces.    “However, it is essential, in my view, to speak direct with those involved and to hear at first-hand their thoughts on the potential opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”   Mrs Rowell, who took over the reins as chair of QMS from Jim McLaren at the start of this month, said she is already enjoying her new role.   “I am very proud of our industry and of the range of services QMS delivers to support it. During the meetings taking place in the coming weeks, I will be emphasising the breadth of the activities QMS undertakes, with what is a surprisingly small team of staff.   “There is, however, always room for improvement and we will be very much taking on board feedback from the industry as our board and staff start the planning phase for next year’s activities.    “We have a very clear strategic focus as an organisation and it is essential that we miss no opportunity to deliver strongly for our industry in the period of evolution and change which lies ahead.”