The Board of Governors of the Macaulay Land Use Research institute has appointed Michael Gibson as its new Chairman. He replaces Andrew Raven who sadly died on 2 October 2005, and who was Chairman of the Board for four years.

Mr Gibson joined the Macaulay Board in 2003 and has been Chair of its Finance and Estate Management Committee since 2004.

Commenting on his appointment at a time of major change in the nature of the funding arrangements for the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) Main Research Providers, he said: “The provision of research funding is currently undergoing radical upheavals, not just in Scotland, but in the UK and right across Europe. There are certainly testing times ahead, but I am confident that the Macaulay Institute is up to the challenge and will continue its long tradition as a provider of internationally renowned land-use science.”

Mr Gibson has over 30 years experience in livestock production in the North-East of Scotland, as a primary producer, processor, judge and consultant. He is a founder board member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and chairs the independent Scottish Food Advisory Committee advising the Agency in Scotland.

Mr Gibson is also a member of the Scottish Food and Health Council. Mr Gibson was formerly Vice Convenor of the Scottish Landowners Federation (now the Scottish Rural property and Business Association) from 2000 to 2002, and previously chaired its Agricultural Committee and its Highland Committee.

Professor Maggie Gill, Chief Executive of the Macaulay, said: “I am delighted that an existing Board member had been selected, as this will provide continuity to the Institute, at a time of great change not only in science funding but also in European and Scottish land use policy.”

Professor Gill will herself be moving to a new position as Chief Scientific Advisor to SEERAD on the 1st February 2006.

The Macaulay Institute is the premier land use research institute in the UK. Two hundred and seventy staff are based at the Macaulay Institute at Craigiebuckler in Aberdeen. The Macaulay Institute aims to be an international leader in research on the use of rural land resources for the benefit of people and the environment and is involved in research across the globe; from Scotland to Chile and China. More about the Macaulay Institute can be found at www.macaulay.ac.uk.

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