New Appointments Further Strengthen SAOS Team and Board

SAOS, Scotland’s agri co-op and supply chain collaboration expert organisation, has made several appointments over the summer, further broadening the organisation’s strength and expertise in the wider food and farming industry. In addition to new team and Board members, there have also been internal promotions, recognising the importance of staff progression and enhancing and developing key workstreams.

SAOS Chief Executive, Tim Bailey, said: “SAOS has continually evolved, for nearly 120 years, to identify and meet the ever-changing needs of our rural co-op members,  rising to challenges facing the wider food and farming sector. Taking stock regularly is vital for any business, particularly in such challenging times, and we are delighted that these appointments will help deliver SAOS’s ambitious plans to help shape the future of farming and food.

“Although senior team members Jim Booth and Alan Stevenson are taking a step back, we are delighted that, as part of the succession plan, those stepping up will still have the benefit of their valued support and extensive knowledge. Working together effectively is at the core of everything SAOS does, and it’s particularly pleasing to be able to manage the inevitable transitions in this way. We are also gratified to realise our investment in SAOS’s future by appointing and developing the best people and enabling their career progression within the organisation.”

Douglas Bowden-Smith joined the SAOS team in mid-July as a Project Development Executive in the Supply Chain Team. His family have two farms and Douglas also brings wide-ranging work experience in rural organisations and initiatives which will provide valuable new insights for the team.

David Michie will join the team in September as Co-op Development Manager. Most recently, David was Policy Manager for Crops at NFU Scotland. He has also held positions with SASA, SOPA, SAC Consulting and the Soil Association, meaning he is already well-known to many of our members and networks. David already has a keen interest in co-operative and collaborative working.

Marion MacCormick and Euan Warnock joined the SAOS Board in early summer as Independent Directors, each bringing a wealth of experience to help further strengthen the Board. Independent food industry consultant Marion was Advertising Director and then Buying Director at Aldi for many years and is currently a Non-Executive Director of Scotland Food & Drink, and also of the RHET. Euan, who farms at Armaddy in Argyll, is well known as a senior Agent and Group Secretary of NFU Mutual, and he is also involved with the RHET, as a Regional Committee Chairman.

Other changes to the team include a promotion for Patrick Hughes to the new cross-team, senior management role of Strategic Services Director. Patrick joined the team in 2021 to lead on the establishment of the Scottish Agri Export Hub in collaboration with NFU Scotland, and he has a wealth of experience from various other senior roles in the food and agri sector.

Helen Glass, who joined SAOS in 2018, has been promoted to the newly created position of Head of Supply Chain Innovation, another new role responding to, and emphasising, the need for innovation, and building on Helen’s experience of developing partnerships at every stage from farm to fork.

Robert Logan has taken over the role of Head of Co-op Development. Since joining SAOS in 2019, Robert has qualified with a Certificate in Co-operative Management from St Mary’s in Halifax, Nova Scotia and added further extensive knowledge of co-operation in practice to his many years’ experience of project management and knowledge exchange across the supply chain.