North-east farmers’ co-operative ANM Group has announced a number of changes to its board and senior management team.
The Inverurie-based company has promoted executive director Grant Rogerson to the post of chief executive.
Mr Rogerson will be tasked with looking for opportunities to improve the business, increasing the number of members and customers, boosting the co-op’s market share and trading area, and maximising the value of the group’s property portfolio.
He will be supported in the role by executive director John Gregor, who will lead the livestock and events divisions of the group.
Mr Gregor will also oversee the company’s new knowledge transfer scheme, which has received a £678,000 grant from the Scottish Government.
As well as the changes to the management team, the co-op’s board will change over the next seven months.
Existing chairman and former group chief executive, Pat Machray, will retire as chairman in April and retire fully as a board member in October next year.
He will be replaced by vice-chairman Pete Watson, who farms at Darnford, near Banchory.
The role of vice-chairman will then be filled by existing board member Mike Macaulay who is one of the founder members and chairman of GPH Builders Merchants Ltd, and a director of Ringlink Scotland. He runs a herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle with his wife at his Kinellar home.
The co-op has also announced plans to co-opt two new members to its board on October 4. These are former Turriff Show president Stuart Stephen and Harbro’s UK sales manager for beef and sheep, David Mackenzie.
Both are active farmers – Mr Stephen farms 700 acres at Netherthird, Rothienorman, with his wife, Catherine, while Mr Mackenzie runs a mixed livestock farm, including a small pedigree Charolais herd, with his wife, Sonia, at South Mains of Tillymorgan, Culsalmond.
Mr Machray, said: “Stuart and David both relish the opportunity to join the board, and I know each of them will make significant contribution to the group at this important juncture for our co-operative, and indeed our industry.”
He said he had been honoured to serve as director, chief executive and chairman, but said the group had to move on and the staff and board changes were part of the co-op’s succession planning.
Mr Rogerson, said: “The new board appointments further strengthen our capability and underline our commitment to developing the co-operative, while continuing to make a significant contribution to the local economy. And of course, retaining Pat’s expertise in the short term as a board member will prove a distinct advantage.
“Immediate priorities include implementing the knowledge transfer partnership with the University of Aberdeen to improve efficiency and enhance the way we work and progressing options for the £4million Thainstone Business Park extension, following rejection of our plans at the Garioch Area Committee in August.”
