At a time when the red meat industry is being attacked by anti-meat activists and misinformation, the two new appointments will tie in with the extensive work already being done to promote and market red meat to consumers both at home and across the world. They will support activities to pursue a positive image, understanding and sales of the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands on behalf of the Scottish red meat industry.

Lesley Cameron, who has over 20 years’ experience within the food and drinks industry, including working with Kettle Produce, Macsween of Edinburgh and more recently with Baxters Food Group, has been appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications. Lesley replaces Carol McLaren, who left QMS in July after 10 years in this role.

Lesley will lead the future strategy, brand delivery and evaluation of all marketing and communications activities plus the wider corporate and industry communications, undertaken by the Marketing and Communications team.  Her remit also covers QMS’s health and education activity and communicating the work of our industry development and economic services teams. Issues management is another key aspect of the role

Ruth Mclean, who previously worked with NFU Scotland for six years, and has over 13 years of experience in the communications and media industry has been brought on board as Corporate Communications Manager. Through this new role, Ruth will be working to improve on the work already being done to communicate and listen to farmers, whilst protecting and defending the industry from ever-increasing misinformation.

Alan Clarke, QMS Chief Executive, commented: “The appointment of Lesley and Ruth further strengthens the fantastic team we have here at Quality Meat Scotland, and will further promote a positive image of our brands on behalf of the red meat industry in Scotland.

“Lesley comes from an extensive background within marketing in the food processing sector, and this will greatly compliment the work already on going at QMS, providing further insight to take this to the next level. Ruth’s background in communications and knowledge of the industry will stand us in good stead to protect and defend our farmers and ensure they know what work we are doing on their behalf to protect their reputation.”

Farmers urged to get behind Scotch Lamb

QMS is encouraging farmers and others involved in the production and retail of Scotch Lamb PGI to really get behind the award-winning ‘Scotch Lamb Naturally’ campaign which launched this week.

The six-week campaign is set to reach 4 million Scottish adults and seeks to inspire consumers to consider Scotch Lamb as a healthy and quick midweek dinner that all the family can enjoy.

QMS is urging farmers to help cascade the messages about Scotch Lamb by following Scotch Kitchen (QMS’s consumer-facing social platform) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Scotch Lamb champions who are working in the Scottish sheep industry or in supporting businesses, have also been lined up ready to support the campaign and help drive home the versatility, quality and taste message which underpins the campaign to consumers up and down the country.

Claire Higgs, Communications Manager at QMS said a steady stream of social media content and shareable infographics will be launched over the coming weeks on the Scotch Kitchen Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

“It could make a huge difference to the campaign if those working in the industry can like and share recipes and key lamb messages via social media ensuring that the content is widely seen as possible,” said Ms Higgs.

Better Grazing meetings focus on grazing management tools

Livestock farmers will get the chance to learn about the tools available to them for measuring and planning grazing management at the next round of Better Grazing meetings, hosted by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Throughout the series of five Sward Stick to Software meetings Dr Liz Genever, who has a wealth of experience working with beef and sheep farmers and was part of the team that put together the GrasscheckGB project, will outline ways to measure grass growth and software available to help planning to meet the needs of livestock profitably.

The meetings will take place on the following dates, with an afternoon visit included for each to a farm nearby:

Wednesday 23 October – Forteviot Village Hall, Forteviot, Perth, PH2 9BT

Thursday 24 October – Station Hotel, Station Brae, Ellon AB41 9BD

Friday 25 October – Balnain Hall, Inverness IV63 6TJ

Wednesday 30 October – Annandale Arms Hotel, High St, Moffat DG10 9HF

Thursday 31 October - Selkirk Rugby Club, Selkirk TD7 5AZ

Attendance at these workshops is free and lunch will be provided.  Please ensure you have clean, disinfectable footwear for the farm visit.

Places at these meetings can be reserved on the Eventbrite booking website (search for QMS Better Grazing) or by contacting Laura Strang at QMS direct on 0131 510 8476 or lstrang@qmscotland.co.uk