Public appointment: Chair appointment extended on the Quality Meat Scotland Board

The Minister for Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie, today announced the extension to the appointment of Kate Rowell as Chair of the Quality Meat Scotland Board.

Chair

Kate Rowell a farmer, vet and Chair of Quality Meat Scotland. She has run her family suckler beef and sheep farm just outside Peebles with her husband Ed for over 20 years and before that spent 7 years as a veterinary surgeon in a mixed practice in the Durham Dales. Since 2018 she has been Chair of Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat levy body for Scotland, where she leads the Board in developing the organisation’s strategy, providing financial oversight and good governance and engaging with stakeholders throughout the supply chain. She also currently sits on the Board of Moredun Research Institute, is a member of the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) and is a Commissioner on the UK Government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission. In her personal life Kate is a Past President of Peeblesshire Agricultural Society and a Girl Guide Leader.

Extension

This extension will be for 4 months and will run from 1 October 2026 until 28 February 2027 to allow for the recruitment of a new Chair to complete.

This extension is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This extension is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £379.32 per day for a time commitment of 104 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Kate Rowell is a Member of the Trade and Agriculture Commission for which she receives remuneration of £200 per day, for a time commitment of up to 20 days per year.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. 

Kate Rowell has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Quality Meat Scotland’s mission is to deliver a range of activities to support the development of a sustainable, professional, profitable and resilient Scottish red meat industry. Quality Meat Scotland promotes and protects the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specifically Selected pork brands through clear, effective communication to ensure consumers fully understand what sets the brands apart – the Scotch Difference. 

QMS works collaboratively across the whole supply chain including farmers, processors, auction marts, livestock hauliers, feed merchants, food service providers, butchers, retailers, research institutes and learning providers to build efficiency, brand integrity and consumer confidence.