Martin Kennedy elected unchallenged as NFU Scotland President

Highland Perthshire farmer Martin Kennedy was elected unchallenged for the position of President of NFU Scotland at the Union’s council meeting in Glasgow today (Friday 10 February).

Mr Kennedy has served as President for the past two years and has been re-elected to the post of President for a further two-year term. The maximum term allowed for an individual to hold the role of President under the Union’s constitution is four consecutive years.

Three nominations for the two Vice-Presidential posts were received. Following a vote by members of NFU Scotland’s Council, Andrew Connon, North Quilquox, Ythanbank, Ellon, Aberdeenshire and Alasdair Macnab, Kildun Farm, Dingwall, Ross-shire were elected. The unsuccessful candidate was Robin Traquair, Wellington Farm, Millerhill, Dalkeith, Midlothian, who has been Vice-President since 2021.

Mr Connon was elected Vice-President in 2021 and Mr Macnab is newly elected to the post.

Commenting Mr Kennedy said:

“It is an immense privilege to be asked to serve NFU Scotland as President again, a role I have enjoyed immensely over the past two very difficult years where we have had to deal with a myriad of challenges from global to local spectrums.

“I congratulate Andrew and Alasdair and thank Robin sincerely for the hard work and dedication he has shown to Scottish farming and crofting in the past two years. It is also worth making specific mention of the huge volume of time he spent on making our 2023 AGM, Dinner and conference a roaring success.

“Our membership has bestowed on myself, Andrew and Alasdair a huge honour at a time when the changes, challenges and opportunities facing Scottish farmers and crofters have never been so immense.

“These will be incredibly busy and significant times for the Union as we strive to secure a sustainable, profitable future for Scottish agriculture. As a new look top team we will remain fully committed to driving forward the work NFU Scotland is doing on behalf of more than 9200 members across Scotland.”