INDEPENDENT research organisation The James Hutton Institute has welcomed four new figures from across government, academia, and industry to its board.

Anne MacColl, an international consultant, Susan Mitchell, chief operating officer and deputy vice-chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University, and Lindsay Sim, senior manager for finance and revenues for Clackmannanshire Council, were recently adopted onto the Hutton board.

In addition, Robin Walker, whose career has included executive roles at household brands including Heinz, Carlsberg, and HP, was also adopted onto the board alongside becoming the chair of James Hutton Limited, Hutton’s commercial arm.

Together, the new directors bring a wealth of organisational and business development, financial and community experience to the Hutton’s work across the land, crops, water, and the environment at its sites in Aberdeen, Invergowrie, Balruddery, and Glensaugh.

Susan Davies, who took over her role as chair of the Hutton board on October 1, and is also chief executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our new board members to the Hutton. This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining this organisation as we work to address some of the fundamental challenges facing us today, across food security, energy, and the environment.

“Our new members bring a wide range of skills that will support our major projects, including the International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre, as part of the Tay Cities Deal, and our HydroGlen and Just Transition Hub projects, supported by the Scottish Government.

“I would like to thank former Hutton chair Ian Gambles for guiding the institute's strategic direction and investment in these major new initiatives and Deborah Keith for ensuring that the importance of Hutton's science at UK and international levels, and its commercial potential, is better recognised.”