FOUR new staff appointments have been made by Scottish Land and Estates to its policy and public affairs team.

Lindsay Duncan, Simon Ovenden, Paul Richardson and Andrew Henderson have joined SLE’s headquarters team at its base in Musselburgh and will each play a role in advising members and influencing public policy and legislation to help ensure communities, jobs, housing and nature all thrive in rural Scotland.

Mr Duncan will advise on rural business and property issues for SLE after joining the organisation from Strutt and Parker, where he worked as a graduate land agent in their Banchory and Canterbury offices.

Joining SLE to advise on access and visitor management, Mr Ovenden has a wealth of experience in land management across the UK. Since relocating to Scotland in 2013, Simon has been general manager for the National Trust for Scotland’s Aberdeenshire portfolio and most recently was countryside manager for Crown Estate Scotland’s Glenlivet Estate.

Mr Richardson has joined to advise members on agriculture and climate change issues, having served as an officer in the British Army and gained experience working in investment management, land agency and practical farming since leaving service. In his spare time, Paul enjoys country pursuits and is also a director with the Royal Highland Education Trust in the Scottish Borders.

Finally, Mr Henderson joins SLE to add to the organisation’s public affairs team, with almost a decade’s worth of experience working for parliamentarians, most recently as head of office to Alex Neil, who stepped down as an MSP in May.

Head of policy, Stephen Young, said: “Lindsay, Simon and Paul are great additions to the SLE policy team and we look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead. There is no shortage of high-profile land issues in Scotland such as support for agriculture, tackling climate change, recovery from the pandemic and matters around flytipping and responsible access. Our new colleagues will ensure that SLE members continue to receive the best advice and ensure their views and concerns are reflected in discussions with politicians and policymakers.”