Chairmanship role for Kirrie landowner

The owner of Kinnordy Estate has been appointed as the chairman of the Central regional committee of business organisation Scottish Land and Estates (SLE).

SLE is a membership organisation for landowners, rural businesses and rural professionals and promotes the wide range of benefits land-based businesses provide.

These include tourist attractions, leisure facilities and landscapes enjoyed by the public, as well as, housing, employment, tourism & enterprise and farming opportunities.

Antony Gifford is one of three new appointments to SLE’s regional network, with Mairi MacLeod Coleman becoming chairperson of the Highland region and Rob Whitson becoming Highland vice-chairman.

Mr Gifford spent more than 20 years as a portfolio manager, working for various investment firms in London and New York, before he and his family relocated to Angus.

He took over the management his family estate, Kinnordy, based near Kirriemuir, a mixed estate which features a range of activities including farming, forestry, residential accommodation and country sports.

Mr Gifford will become chair of the region in November when fellow Angus landowner Hugh Campbell-Adamson completes his time in post.

He said: “Rural estates are at the forefront of Scotland’s contribution towards tackling the climate emergency, whether that be through increased woodland planting or restoring our peatlands.

"This is also a time of substantial change for our farming businesses, with a replacement for the Common Agricultural Policy imminent, and I’m pleased to be able to take up this role and help SLE members to adjust to the changes ahead.”