Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) has added an eighth coop to its board as well as appointing new representatives for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland and Scotland’s Rural College, SRUC.
SQC’s board has traditionally included representatives from seven stakeholder organisations across the supply chain – which make up the SQC Co-op including Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the Maltsters Association of Great Britain and UK Flour Millers. From this year, it will also include Scottish Agronomy, the independent agronomy cooperative owned by farmers, represented by Managing Director Adam Christie.
“We are very pleased to welcome Scottish Agronomy as a new member to the SQC Co-op,” said Teresa Dougall, Managing Director of SQC. “We will gain from Adam’s extensive experience in crop innovation and management, further enhancing the expertise and technical knowledge that is critical to our board and setting of standards.”
SQC, which was first established in 1994 to provide quality assurance for grain markets, is streamlined to have just one part-time employee, the Managing Director who is supported and advised by the Board representing different stages of the supply chain from grower to buyer.
The Scotch Whisky Association has been represented on the SQC Board for many years by Peter Nelson, who has retired as Operations Director at The Glenmorangie Company and from the SWA.
“Peter’s support, advice and wisdom have always been greatly appreciated – as was his warmth and wonderful hosting of the SQC Board at Glenmorangie and the insights it gave us,” says Teresa. “We wish Peter all the best in his retirement.”
Ronald Daalmans, Sustainability Director with Chivas Brothers, will now represent the SWA on the SQC Board.
SQC also welcomes Neil White who will be representing NFUS. He has taken over from Mark McCallum, who remains on the board as Vice Chairman, following agreement that this position be treated as an ‘independent role’ on the Board.
Similarly, Fiona Burnett, who has been to date representing SRUC on the SQC board, will now also be in an independent role as SQC’s Technical Director. SRUC Arable Consultant, David Ross, has since been appointed as the college’s representative.
The changes to the board come at a critical time as SQC continues its work to ensure quality assurance for crops is effective and efficient, particularly following the Farm Assurance Review at the end of 2024. SQC is also making digital advances to improve processes and efficiencies for growers and the supply chain.
“We are very pleased that SQC’s work was positively recognised in the Farm Assurance Review, but the work never stops. We are now a very strong board of 13 experts from across the sector and we look forward to working together and maximising their broad experience to ensure that the assurance scheme and standards remain relevant as we move forward.”