Experience

• 

  SAOS Ltd

  • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • Co-op Development Manager

    • Sep 2023 - Present
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Helping farmers co-operate with each other and collaborate across the supply chain.

• 

  NFU SCOTLAND

  • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • Policy Manager (Cropping)

    • Feb 2021 - Sep 2023
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Responsible for NFU Scotland's policy work relating to crops.Representing interests of members producing cereals, oilseeds, potatoes, field scale horticulture and soft fruit, and advocating on their behalf.

• 

  Soil Association

  • United Kingdom
  • Non-profit Organization Management
  • 300 - 400 Employee

  • Scotland Associate Director (Farming & Land Use)

    • Jun 2020 - Feb 2021

    Directing Soil Association Scotland's farming and land use activities, including project development, fundraising, and public affairs to support farming and land use practice changes to mitigate climate change, restore nature, and benefit health.

  • Deputy Scotland Director (title later changed to align roles across the UK)

    • Apr 2019 - Jun 2020

  • Head of Farming & Land Use

    • May 2017 - Apr 2019

    Leading Soil Association Scotland's Farming and Land Use team.

  • Agricultural Development Manager

    • Nov 2015 - May 2017

    Working with groups of farmers to test out innovative ideas on their farms through a 'field lab' programme.

• 

  SRUC

  • Thainstone Agricultural Centre, Inverurie

  • Senior Organic Farming Consultant and Farm Business Consultant

    • Nov 2013 - Nov 2015
    • Thainstone Agricultural Centre, Inverurie

    Commercial consultancy for land manager clients in Aberdeenshire, including grant applications, financial advice, regulatory compliance, fertiliser recommendations, livestock rations, and just about anything else.Delivery of government supported organic farming advice throughout Scotland, including farmer knowledge exchange, Scottish Organic Forum membership, and advice to government itself.Regional soils specialist, including government work and knowledge transfer from SRUC Research.Membership of MSc Organic Farming core team and lecturer.

• 

  SAC Consulting

  • Inverurie, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • Farm Business Consultant

    • Nov 2008 - Nov 2013
    • Inverurie, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Commercial consultancy for land managers in Aberdeenshire, including grant applications, financial advice, regulatory compliance, fertiliser recommendations, livestock rations, and just about anything else.Regional soils specialist, including government work and soils knowledge transfer from SRUC Research.

• 

  Scottish Food Quality Certification

  • SOPA certification officer

    • Aug 2007 - Nov 2008

    Reviewing and certifying farm assessments. Working with others in the organic farming sector. Supporting SOPA's Technical Advisory Committee.

• 

  Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture

  • Herbage Trials Officer

    • 2006 - 2007

    Running and harvesting grass and clover field trials. Certifying seed crops. Organising and running seed samplers course.

  • Potato Trials Assistant

    • Oct 2005 - Nov 2006

    Supporting planting, harvesting, and data collection from potato trials. This work supported SASA's seed potato certification work.

• 

  D & E Michie and Partners

  • Oldmeldrum, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • Farmer

    • Jun 2002 - Sep 2005
    • Oldmeldrum, Scotland, United Kingdom

    General farm work for suckler cow, finishing cattle, and arable farming enterprises. Included machinery operation and livestock management.