The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has appointed a new chief executive, Donna Smith, to replace Patrick Krause, who is stepping down in October.
“We had plenty of interest in the post and interviewed highly competent candidates,” said Jonathan Hedges, chair of the SCF, “but of course it comes down to one and we were unanimous in our decision to offer the post to Donna Smith, which she has accepted.”
Donna Smith said, “Having worked for a long time in crofting policy, and having run my own business consultancy whilst also serving on boards of charitable organisations, I hope to bring experience and knowledge of both crofting and organisational management to this exciting position. I am delighted to take up this new role with the crofters’ representative organisation.”
Mrs Smith added, “There are many challenges for crofting in Scottish rural policy formation so we need a strong collective voice to speak on behalf of crofters and crofting. My priority will be to grow the SCF membership and ensure that the voice of crofters is heard loud and clear in policy circles. Scotland is a very vibrant and progressive country, looking to build a new, more nature-friendly agriculture system and reforming how we use our land. These issues work hand in hand and crofting is at the centre, delivering a unique system of land tenure that supports keeping more folk on the land and delivering high nature value food production. Crofting is good for people, good for production and good for the planet and it will be my privilege to work on behalf of crofters and crofting in continuing to promote these points.”
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