Tell us a little bit about you?
I was brought up on a mainly arable farm near Alyth and went to agricultural college in Aberdeen, before travelling for a year. I returned home to join the family farming business briefly but having decided it wasn’t for me, joined Allied Grain, first as transport coordinator and quickly moved on to farm trading and then grain trading. My next move was to SAOS as a project manager, where I learned all about co-operation in agriculture. In 2004 I joined East of Scotland Farmers Ltd as General Manager, which combined my grain and co-operation experience perfectly. In 2025, after 21 years at EOSF, I decided to slow down a little and spend a bit less time working and as the chance arose to join Scottish Agronomy as Company Secretary on a part-time basis, this presented the perfect opportunity.
What are you most looking forward to about your new role as Company Secretary?
This role provides exactly what I’m looking for at this stage of my career. It’s an interesting and challenging position but it’s part-time which allows me to get out in the fresh air and climb some hills too. It’s also refreshing to be in a different environment, learning new things and meeting new people whilst hopefully using some of my experience to help the team at Scottish Agronomy .
What will you be found doing when not at work? / Favorite things to do?
I’ve spent too many days in an office in front of a screen, so now I aim to get outdoors more often and get a bit fitter and slowly ticking off some Munros. I also like to watch rugby whether at Murrayfield or in Blairgowrie where my son plays.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you?
I can be found at several Highland Games working behind the scenes at the Highland Dancing. My partner is an ex-highland dancer, teacher and judge and she taught me to scrutineer, to help her out at some of the events she organises. I know nothing about Highland Dancing but I can do arithmetic, which is all that’s required of me.
Best or worst job you’ve ever had and why?
In Australia in 1989, I was broke and needing to earn some money fast and being near Port Macquarie, the only work I could find was picking potatoes by hand. I thought I’d finished with that job in primary school! It was incredibly hot and the flies were horrendous. As soon as we’d earned some petrol money it was time to move on!
Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The trend is your friend (in relation to grain trading). Trends usually persists longer than you think, up or down, so don’t keep looking for a change of market direction, until it obviously happens.
Guilty pleasure?
I’m old enough not to feel guilty about pleasure. If it pleases me then I’ll shout about it.
Ideal weekend/happy place?
It’s always good to spend time together with my daughter and son and our other halves. Good food and drink are preferred but good company is essential.
