Former NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller has been appointed to the boards of SRUC and SAC Commercial Ltd.
Mr Miller, who headed up the union from 2011 until February this year, is a qualified vet and farms at Galawater in the Borders.
On his appointment to the boards, SRUC chairman Lord Jamie Lindsay said: “We fully recognise the breadth and depth of Nigel’s first-hand experience, ranging from the agri-politics of Edinburgh, London and Brussels to the veterinary profession and family farming. Nigel joins the SRUC and SAC Commercial boards at an exciting time and with his knowledge, experience and undoubted commitment to the Scottish farming community his contribution to how we best serve the industry going forward will be invaluable.”
Mr Miller said he was delighted to work with SRUC during “an exciting period of change”.
“This is a time of extraordinary change for agriculture in Europe with volatile markets and extreme climate events challenging traditional systems,” said Mr Miller.
“It is also a time of incredible opportunity with food and the environment at the centre of public concern, with the rural economy a political priority.
“SRUC and its consulting arm SAC Consulting are at the core of that dynamic landscape with a key role in energising and supporting business, production systems and biodiversity.
“SRUC research and education are vital to our new generation who must take our industry to a new level as both food security and climate change strengthen their grip on the world.”
Mr Miller has been a member of SRUC’s consultative committee on agriculture since 2004 and in July last year was awarded an honorary fellowship from the organisation.
After stepping down from the role of president at NFU Scotland in February, it was announced that Mr Miller would head up a new industry-wide body called Livestock Health Scotland.