New Rural Economy Action Group announced

A new group tasked with bringing the rural economy to the forefront of policy making has been announced.

The new Rural Economy Action Group will guide how Scottish Ministers drive forward recommendations of a recent report by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA), and will be Chaired by Carol Tannahill, Head of Social Policy for the Scottish Government.

Announcing the chair of the Group while visiting Great British Bake Off 2015 star Flora Shedden’s Aran Bakery in Dunkeld, Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for The Rural Economy said:

“As we edge ever closer to leaving the EU at the end of March and the risk of leaving with no deal in place growing, there has never been a more important time to ensure that our rural economy is mainstreamed into everything we do.

“That is why, having listened to the National Council of Rural Advisers, I am delighted to announce that Carol Tannahill has agreed to chair the new Rural Economy Action Group, which will immediately seek to guide how Scottish Ministers drive forward the Council’s recommendations to grow a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rural economy.

“Scotland’s rural economy is bursting with talent and potential. By ensuring effective mainstreaming of rural policy into all of our policy thinking and delivery, I am determined to ensure that our rural economy becomes the driving force behind, not just our national brand, but also our national prosperity.”

Professor Tannahill is Director of the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, a research and development centre which generates insights and evidence for action to improve health and tackle inequality.

In April 2014, Carol took up the role of Chief Social Policy Adviser with the Scottish Government on a part-time basis, to work with different teams on the Government’s approaches to supporting communities and tackling deep-rooted inequalities.  She has a leadership role with the National Performance Framework, supporting the delivery of key outcomes for the whole of Scotland.

Carol is a Trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, and holds honorary professorial appointments with the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University.  She was appointed OBE for services to public health in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.