RSABI announces appointment of two new Trustees

RSABI, the charity supporting people in Scottish agriculture, has appointed two new Trustees to its board.

Rebecca Dawes, who works for Jane Craigie Marketing and is a director and co-founder of the Rural Youth Project has joined the board along with Stephen Young, Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates. Both Ms Dawes and Mr Young also have a background in farming.

The new appointments follow a recruitment drive for trustees that aimed to bring fresh perspective to the charity’s board and help with the key goals of encouraging more young people to come forward for support and improving how RSABI uses digital tools.

Commenting on the appointments, Chair of RSABI David Leggat said: “I’m delighted to welcome Rebecca and Stephen to our board. They both bring fantastic experience, insight and connections that will be incredibly valuable to the charity, as well as great enthusiasm for the work of RSABI.”

Ms Dawes works in PR and communications, specialising in the rural and agricultural sector. A farmer’s daughter from a mixed beef and sheep livestock farm in Kinross-Shire, she now lives with her partner on a dairy farm in Galloway and has her own herd of pygmy goats.

She has a degree in Events Management, is a Scottish Enterprise Rural Leader, trustee and Next Generation Facilitator for the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and Scottish Co-ordinator for LEAF Open Farm Sunday.

Ms Dawes said: “This year, more so than ever, the human element of agricultural and rural life has been at the forefront of our minds. RSABI’s work to support the most important element within Scottish agriculture, its people, has and continues to help hundreds of individuals and their families right across the country, and I have been immensely in awe of the work they do.

“With a background in farming, my career in events and agricultural and rural communications, and more recently my work with the Rural Youth Project, I felt now was the right time to give back to an organisation that gives so much so others.”

Mr Young’s work sees him represent the interests and advising land managers throughout Scotland on all rural business and policy matters. Having previously worked with SAOS, he has also advised and provided training on governance and strategy for a range of non-profit organisations as well as facilitating various monitor farms and benchmarking groups across the country.

A partner on the family’s dairy farm in Central Scotland, the joint venture allows new entrants to take a step into managing their own business.

Mr Young said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as a trustee to such an important charity, which carries out vital work for Scottish agriculture. Having worked with rural, not-for-profit, organisations for many years, I hope I can use that experience to support and develop the excellent work the team already undertakes.”