Scotland’s foremost agricultural charity, RHASS (the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland), is now under the Chairmanship of James Logan, as it also unveils its Presidential Team.

James has an extensive background in agriculture and has been actively involved in various aspects of the industry. After studying agriculture at Edinburgh University, he returned to the family farm in East Lothian. Over the years he has transitioned the business from a traditional farm into a larger scale operation that has diversified into potato processing and seed potato sales to garden centres across the UK.

Serving at board level for the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and chairing the organisation’s East Lothian Branch and Lothians Area, James refined his knowledge of the agricultural profession. He gained insight into the advantages of collaborative working when attending the Worshipful Company of Farmers Advanced Business Management Course and went on to establish two co-operatives, embodying his commitment to uniting farmers for the benefit of strengthening their collective market position.

James’ dedication to the agriculture community extends beyond business operations. He contributes to the education of the next generation by opening

his own farm for school visits through his support of the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET).

James said: “Having served as Honorary Secretary of RHASS for three years, I’ve had first-hand experience of the crucial work of the charity. The diverse experiences I have gained so far in my career has emphasised the importance of fostering connections and finding solutions to challenges farmers face today. With a strong focus on communication and commitment to the agricultural sector, I am looking forward to bringing this ethos to my new role and working alongside the new Presidential Team to continue RHASS’s journey”.

Along with James as the new Chairman, George Lyon has been appointed as President of RHASS. Former MSP and MEP, George is the previous president of NFU Scotland. He was also chair of Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. The new Presidential team also includes: Andrew Malcolm, Margo McGill Scott, Lord George Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG, Rob Wainwright OBE, and Isabell Montgomerie who has taken on the role as Chaplin.

Alan Laidlaw, RHASS Chief Executive added: “Announcing James as our new Chairman feels very much like a natural next step following his involvement as a Board Member and Honorary Secretary of RHASS in which he has brought a wealth of knowledge, advice and support to the organisation. James is someone who inspires those across the industry and we are very much looking forward to working even more closely with him during his tenure as Chairman as we continue to shape the future of RHASS to successfully support those across the sector for generations to come.”

The newly appointed RHASS board consists of 11 new members ranging from a variety of agricultural and rural sector backgrounds.

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