Aberdeen and Invergowrie-based James Hutton Institute (JHI) has announced the appointment of Professor James Curran as its new chairman.
Prof Curran, who was chief executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) from 2012-2014, has served previously as a JHI board member and has a science background in hydrometeorology and climate change.
Professor Curran will be joined by Iain Reid and Andrew Millar on the institute’s board of directors.
JHI’s commercial subsidiary, James Hutton also has a new chair. She is Deborah Keith, who has 30 years of experience in the science and technology sector, most recently in corporate research and development strategy in the agribusiness, Syngenta. She is also a serving board member of the institute.
The institute’s chief executive Professor Colin Campbell said the new board members would bring key skills and knowledge that would help move the James Hutton Group forward.
“Board members cover a wide range of expertise, skills and knowledge and are instrumental in shaping the strategy of the organisation. This oversight has helped drive up the economic impact that our work provides to the Scottish and UK economy, recently measured at a return of £12.75 for every pound of public money received,” he said.
Prof Campbell paid tribute to the outgoing chair, Ray Perman, and board members Brian Clark, Laura Meagher, Allan Stevenson, George Thorley and Alan Werritty who are leaving at the end of their term.