Andrew Connon has been elected to the position of President of NFU Scotland following a vote at the Union’s council meeting held in Glasgow on Friday (7 February).
The unsuccessful Presidential candidate was Alasdair Macnab.
Andrew will now hold office for two years. Under the terms of NFU Scotland’s constitution, the maximum period any President is allowed to serve is two two-year terms.
After a keenly fought election, the vote for the two Vice Presidential posts saw Duncan Macalister elected to serve alongside Robert Neill. The unsuccessful Vice-Presidential candidate was Mike Davis.
Under the terms of the constitution, with Duncan and Robert both being elected to the position of Vice President for the first time, they will initially serve for two years before the post reverts to an annual election.
That means for the next 24 months, Andrew, Duncan and Robert will make up NFU Scotland’s Presidential team.
After the election, NFU Scotland’s President Andrew Connon commented: “It is an incredible honour to have been elected and I promise that I will do my utmost to serve Scotland’s farmers and crofters to the best of my ability, striving to meet the incredible high standards of those who have held this post before me.
“There are difficult and challenging times ahead but Duncan, Robert and I have been given a clear mandate by members to represent them, and we are honoured to carry their message forward.
“I believe we have a top table team, who, backed by the members, staff and secretaries have the vision to deliver a sustainable and profitable future for Scotland’s farmers and crofters and the generations to come.
“My predecessor Martin Kennedy has been an incredible servant for Scottish agriculture and his passion and commitment make him an incredibly tough act to follow.
“Although missing out, I also congratulate my fellow Vice President Alasdair for the part he played in a hard-fought campaign and the outstanding shift he has put in as a Vice President representing our members. While unsuccessful, I also congratulate Mike Davis for the courage and commitment to put his name in the hat for the Vice-Presidential role and I hope NFU Scotland con continue to rely on his enthusiasm, support and advice for years to come.”
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, who represents Andrew’s area at Westminster, said: “I’m delighted Andrew Connon has been elected as the new president of NFU Scotland.
“Andrew lives and farms in my constituency near Ellon and has always been extremely supportive and excellent to work with.
“At a time like this when Scottish farmers and crofters are facing multiple challenges, it is fantastic to have someone with Andrew’s experience and commitment as leader of NFU Scotland.
“From continuing to fight against Labour’s family farm tax and rising fertiliser tax, to enhancing biosecurity, building resilience into farm profitability and much more, I look forward to continuing working with Andrew in the years to come.”
Andrew farms in partnership near Ellon in Aberdeenshire on 370 acres where the main enterprises involve finishing cattle, breeding and finishing sheep, and spring barley.
