Ian Davidson OBE has been presented with the NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual’s Ambassador Award.

Established in 2009, the Ambassador Award was set up to recognise those individuals who, through their own efforts, have played an influential role in communicating the work, challenges, and value of Scottish food and farming to a wider audience.

For six years, Ian was the principal agricultural officer in Scotland before becoming the Head of the Agriculture Policy Division at the Scottish Government, a post he held until 2019. That year, he took on the role of national advisor to the Scottish Land Matching Service, a free ‘matchmaking’ service offering independent advice and facilitation to those considering options for joint ventures in farming.

Announcing Ian as the winner, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “Ian has put in an incredible shift on behalf of Scottish agriculture, and I am delighted to present him with this prestigious award.

“Ian is one of the very few people in the Scottish agricultural industry whose advice and guidance are highly respected and valued by Ministers, politicians, government officials, stakeholders, and grass roots farmers and crofters.

“Most importantly, he is an incredible communicator, speaking the language of whoever he has the ear of and influencing decisions that have always been in the best interests of Scottish farming and crofting.

“He has a huge breadth and depth of knowledge on how the Scottish agricultural industry operates and that experience continues to be in demand with Ian a key contributor to the current debate on Scotland’s future agricultural policy.

“Ian has a reputation for getting things done and that is most apparent in his role within the Scottish Land Matching Service. Working closely with those in the next generation seeking to get their foot on the first farming or crofting ladder and matching them with those looking to step back or considering joint ventures. They could have no better mentor than Ian.”