WITH TOM French stepping down as NFU Scotland's Forth and Clyde region chairman, his replacement has been announced as Willie Harper, of Gryffewraes Farm, Bridge of Weir.

The appointment was voted in at the region's AGM, held on Tuesday, January 10. Mr Harper was selected after having already served as president of the Renfrewshire branch and as vice chairman, for several years, of the regional board.

Mr Harper is a beef and sheep producer, and is supported in his new role by his wife, Mairi, and their two daughters, Emma and Olivia.

Remaining in the one of the two vice chairman positions is Mark Donald, of Rhynaclach, Port of Monteith, Stirling. He will be supported by Sandy Taylor, of Burnbank, Adreonaig, Killin, in the second vice chairman position, which was also voted at the AGM.

After five years in the role, Mr French, of Balgray, Crawfordjohn, Biggar, decided to step down in order for him to contest for the position of vice president in the union's forthcoming council meeting in Glasgow, on Tuesday, February 7, with the union's AGM and conference being staged at the same venue on Monday, February 6.