Increased income, financial surplus and returns from affinity partnerships see subscription rates held and staff body grow
NFU Scotland is entering 2022 on a healthy financial footing.
The Financial Accounts for 2020/2021 show an increase in income to £3,218,671 from £3,124,530 in the preceding year.

With Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing continuing throughout most of the year, most face-to-face meetings were suspended and attendance at national and regional events cancelled. As a result, the accounts for 2021 show a further reduction in costs from £2,986,236 in 2020 to £2,944,886 in 2021. These figures resulted in an operating surplus of £335,814 compared with £196,094 in 2020. The net assets of NFU Scotland have increased to £3,748,273 from £3,054,836 in 2020.
Affinity income generated from the widening range of member services and discounts continues to grow and this year was £224,265 compared to £170,277 in 2020.
NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said: “The Union has never been stronger. We are leaving 2021 on a healthy financial footing, after another extremely challenging year dominated by the ongoing Covid pandemic and post Brexit delivery which has tested the resilience of all elements of production, processing and supply chains across all commodities and sectors.
“Our strong membership base; increased commercial activities and decreased expenditure due to Covid meant that subscription rates didn’t change in 2021 and won’t change again in 2022.
“We have also been able to increase the size of our policy and regional teams with an extra person in each to ensure that we can continue to lobby effectively on national and local issues. It means that we enter 2022 in very good heart.
“The default workplace for staff this year has remained their home in line with Scottish Government guidelines. While some face-to-face meetings have thankfully returned, online still plays a big part.
“Moving meetings online means we can do more than we did in the past without the travelling and can bring people together much easier. Early in 2021, we were able to hold all hustings, branch AGMs, and our first ever virtual AGM and elections online incurring financial savings but significantly lacking in the camaraderie that comes when these are held face-to-face.
“The successful mixed model of online and live audience that we used for our Autumn Conference in October, the first national in person event the Union had held in 20 months, was an example of how we can maximise member engagement at events and is one we will embrace for our AGM in February 2022 and beyond.
“Next year, we will transition to hybrid working for the growing NFU Scotland staff body. This will give the option to work outside of the office for some of the time and come together in the office part of the week. The pandemic drove us away from normal working practise and forced us to change. We have navigated this very successfully and continue to keep improving and developing how we do things.
“Lobbying remains at the heart of what we do, and we have again demonstrated the strength of a united voice. The unprecedented member engagement on the Scottish Government’s recent agricultural policy consultation was a highlight but just one of many responses to numerous consultations throughout 2021.
“Our strength as an effective lobbying organisation means that we continue to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made on the future of Scottish agriculture.”
Notes to Editors
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Contact Diana McGowan on 07920 018619