John Sleigh – the former Scotland editor of the Irish Farmers Journal – has joined The Scottish Farmer as our Northern editor.

Born into a well-known North-east farming family, John previously worked at NFU Scotland before turning his hand at journalism in 2017. During his time at the union he ran the livestock committee, visiting members from Stranraer to Shetland.

More recently, as well as being IFJ's Scotland correspondent, he acted as agricultural advisor for the Farm Profit Programme in conjunction with Aberdeen & Northern Marts. Away from journalism, John works on the mixed arable and livestock family farm alongside his father and brother at Newseat of Tolquhon, Ellon.

Editor for The SF, Ken Fletcher, said: "It has long been our ambition to have a permanent presence in the North and North-east and this is a highly aspirational appointment for us. John will be a huge asset as this newspaper heads into its 130th year."

You can contact John with story ideas at: email – John.Sleigh@newsquest.co.uk; telephone: 07921 863682.