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By John Davidson, CEO
Strong leadership has always been at the heart of a thriving farming community. As our industry continues to evolve - shaped by changing markets, policy priorities, and new technologies - it is more important than ever to invest in the people who will guide us into the future. With this in mind, I am delighted to share some early thoughts on a new Emerging Leaders Programme that we will be developing over the coming months.
This initiative is designed to identify and support individuals across our membership who demonstrate the potential, commitment, and passion to become future leaders within the organisation. Whether your interests lie in policy development, political engagement, supply chain dynamics or market development, our programme will offer opportunities to build skills, broaden networks, and gain valuable insights into the workings of NFU Scotland and the wider agricultural landscape.
Our programme will combine practical learning with personal development. Participants can likely expect a blend of workshops, events, and mentoring, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities facing the industry and indeed NFU Scotland in the years ahead. By connecting members with experienced industry figures and like-minded peers, we aim to foster collaboration, confidence, and fresh thinking.
Importantly, this programme is not solely about leadership in the traditional sense. We recognise that leadership takes many forms - whether that is championing new approaches, contributing to local initiatives, or representing the voice of agriculture in wider conversations. Our goal is to nurture a diverse pipeline of individuals who can positively influence the future of our industry through the leadership of NFU Scotland, helping us to remain one of the most respected and influential organisations in Scotland.
Caroline Millar’s Diversity & Inclusion Review highlighted the need for NFU Scotland to invest in and develop its talent, and that is exactly what this initiative is designed to do.
To help shape the programme, we are holding a
Future Leaders Event on Wednesday 3 June for members who are curious about getting involved and interested in developing their leadership potential.
This is an exciting step for our organisation. By investing in our members today, we are helping to secure a resilient, innovative and successful future for NFU Scotland. We look forward to sharing more information as the programme develops and to discovering the talented individuals who will help lead the way.