Public appointment: Members appointments extended on the Quality Meat Scotland Board

The Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie, today announced the extension to the appointments of Ann Irvine and Andy McGowan as a Members of the Quality Meat Scotland Board.

Member

Ann Irvine was brought up in a mixed farm in North Ireland. For the past 28 years she has  been farming beef and sheep with her family in North East Scotland. Her professional career spans over thirty years in Further and Higher Education and Local Government. This included roles: Director of Southern Regional College N.I,  Associate Principal Aberdeen College, Senior Officer Aberdeen City Council, Director of AbMAN (Aberdeen Metropolitan Network), and Mentor for middle and senior managers for CEL (Centre for Excellence in Leadership, London) . Ann has Masters Degree in Education Management and has extensive experience chairing various committees and board. 

Andy McGowan is the Managing Director of Scottish Pig Producers (SPP), a cooperative that markets pigs for farmers in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  He is also a Board member of several other organisations involved in the development of food and farming in Scotland.  Before joining SPP, he worked for companies involved with genetics, biotechnology and livestock production, including as Head of Industry Development at Quality Meat Scotland.

Extension

These extensions will be for 5 months and will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 to allow for the recruitment of a new Members to complete.

This extension is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These extensions are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £221.36 for a time commitment of 20 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Andy is a Member of the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board, for which he receives remuneration of NIL per day, for a time commitment of 1 day every 3 months.

Ann Irvine does not hold any other public appointments.

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. 

Ann Irvine and Andy McGowan have 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.