Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Quality Meat Scotland board

The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has announced the reappointment of Adrian Ivory and Niall Jeffrey as members of the Quality Meat Scotland board. 

Members 

Adrian Ivory is a former young farmer and Farmer of the Year. He is chair of the Scottish Beef Industry Group, and is a livestock producer looking after 250 breeding cows, taking the progeny through to finishing at a local processor. Adrian is also a council member of the British Simmental Cattle Society. 

Niall Jeffrey is a mixed beef and arable farmer based in East Lothian. He graduated with a BSc in agriculture from Newcastle university in 2006, spent some time working in New Zealand and completed a BASIS certificate in Agriculture, before joining the family business in 2009. He is currently an Agri-Epicentre satellite farmer and in 2018 won the Agriscot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year. He continues to bring to the board a good understanding of animal production systems and practical experience in technology and innovative farming. 

Reappointment 

These reappointments are for 4 years and run from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2029 

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

These reappointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £198.36 for a time commitment of 104 days per annum. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Adrian Ivory and Niall Jeffrey do 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.    

Adrian Ivory and Niall Jeffrey 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.