THE UK’s largest business ring, Aberdeenshire-based Ringlink Scotland Ltd, has made two appointments to its board.
John Gray, managing director of Angus Soft Fruits, takes over as vice chairman and Lonmay farmer Peter Oosterhof joins the board as a new director.
John has been on the board since the summer of 2022 and takes on the role where he will be supporting chairman James Porter of East Scryne.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the role of vice chairman of Ringlink. I’ve been very impressed by the team who deliver a fantastic service to rural businesses throughout Scotland. I look forward to supporting them with their exciting plans for the future.”
As well as being a Nuffield Scholar, John is a board member of DYW Tay Cities, the organisation that connects employers, education, and young people.
John takes over from Peter Chapman who is standing down as vice chairman but remains on the board.
New director Peter Oosterhof farms at Savoch Farm, at Lonmay near Fraserburgh.
“I am really looking forward to taking my place on the board,” he said.
“Farmer-owned cooperatives are important and Ringlink has a strong track record of serving its members.”
He came home in 2012 to farm with parents Sjirk and Thyna, who hailed from farms in the Netherlands and New Zealand respectively, building projects such as biomass grain driers and solar panels.
In 2017, he took over running the farm in his own right and has since focused on expanding and streamlining the business on crop production and cattle finishing. In 2019 he was named Young Producer in the Marks & Spencer (M&S) Awards at the Royal Highland Show and in 2022 received their Farming with Nature Award.
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