Jimmy was appointed Chairman Designate in July this year and is currently in his third term as a Director of RHASS. He has been Chairman of the RHASS PR & Education Committee and Chairman of RHET National for 8 years. He also serves on his local committee as a farmer host and classroom speaker.

He was made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2012 and was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to education and communication in agriculture.

At home, Jimmy farms at Sandilands Farm near Lanark with wife Elizabeth and daughter Carol-Anne. The 500-acre farm, which encompasses three steadings, was predominately a dairy enterprise until 2016. It currently carries a suckler herd, cereals and both pedigree and commercial sheep. Jimmy is also a director of a haulage company, Farm Field Fresh, which transports foodstuffs in refrigerated containers to supermarkets all over the UK.

Away from the Society, Jimmy is a past Chairman of Lanark and Lanarkshire Young Farmers’ Club and a past branch and district NFU Chairman. He was Chairman of the British Texel Sheep Society in 1995/96 after serving 21 years on committee, and is a member of the Society’s disciplinary panel. Jimmy has exhibited Texel sheep at the Royal Highland Show since their inception and attends many agricultural events, commentating at major shows including the Royal Highland.

“I am hugely honoured to be elected Chairman for RHASS – an organisation I have been a Director of for many years. RHASS and its educational charity, RHET, play an important role in improving the understanding of rural Scotland and I will employ my usual vigour and enthusiasm to continue this work.”

Commenting on the new appointment, RHASS Chief Executive Alan Laidlaw said, “Jimmy has shown true dedication and commitment to RHASS over many years, and it is a privilege to be working alongside him to achieve our charitable remit. I strongly believe that the Society is the lead agri-organisation in Scotland, and we have an invaluable role to play in supporting and showcasing the best in Scottish farming, food and rural life. Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and unbound enthusiasm to the role of Chairman.”