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In partnership with SAOS, NFU Scotland has launched the Scottish Agricultural Export Hub to develop new export opportunities and expand existing export markets for Scottish agricultural produce for the benefit of primary producers. This new initiative will focus on the potatoes, cereals, fruit and vegetables sectors to expand the market horizons and connections more directly for primary producers and to seek out markets where a higher return may be possible, to drive more value down the supply chain.

AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain. Its purpose is to inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world and to equip the industry with easy to use, practical know-how which they can apply straight away to make better decisions and improve their performance. Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, it supports the following industries: meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; and cereals and oilseeds in the UK. AHDB’s remit covers 72 per cent of total UK agricultural output. This role came to and end due to the wind-down of AHDB Potatoes.As the Head of Potato Export Development, I worked with UK seed potato exporters to both maintain the current market position while also exploring further opportunities overseas. In addition to working alongside the sector, I engaged with export development partners such as Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Development International and DEFRA to facilitate introductions with new and existing customers, supply bases and explore potential markets in line with the strategic aims of the industry.

The role was to lead the continued development of the trade organisation set up in 1999 by the main representatives of the Scottish seafood industry; to market, promote and develop responsibly reared and caught Scottish seafood in order to maximise the value return to industry. The organisation works closely with all sectors of the Scottish seafood supply chain, including individual seafood businesses to maximise their international, UK and regional market opportunities.Actively participated within the SF&D Partnership, the Seafood Scotland board and fish Producer Organisations (PO’s) for the continued development of the Scottish Seafood sector. Engaged collaboratively with industry partners to promote Scotland as the Land of Food & Drink and also supports local food festivals, health and educational initiatives and the national as well as international promotion of Seafood from Scotland. I actively engaged the seafood sector to create “Changing Tides”, a sector specific, strategic action plan that aligns with the objectives set out in the Scotland Food & Drink Ambition 2030 Strategy and defined a route map to future success across the seafood supply chain.

As a Senior Food & Drink Consultant within the SAC Food & Drink team my role incorporates the designing, developing and delivering commercial projects whilst managing ongoing delivery programmes. The main focus is to increase commercial awareness and sustainable economic growth of local (Scottish) food and drink businesses through one to one engagement and through the delivery of regional workshop programmes.

Specialist supplier of processed and value added fish products to the Food Service sector. The remit of the post included the efficient operation of the technical department, new product development, quality assurance and hygiene functions. A leading part of this role was customer care, building partnership relations with customers in an open and professional environment.

As a supplier of value added seafood products to major supermarkets the role was to oversee the technical, hygiene and quality assurance functions and be responsible for the maintenance of quality and food safety standards.

Howegarden was a supplier of conventional, organic, fresh and prepared root vegetables to the major supermarkets.