Patrick Machray OBE has announced his decision to step down from his role as Chairman of Scotland’s Rural College in October 2017. The Board and staff of SRUC have expressed their appreciation for Pat’s decade-long contribution.
Describing the value of Pat’s involvement, SRUC Principal and Chief Executive Professor Wayne Powell said: “Pat has helped guide our organisation through a challenging but hugely exciting 10 year period as a key member of both the SRUC and SAC Commercial Boards. His wisdom and guidance has been invaluable in helping to steer the college on a steady path and ensured we have maintained a strong focus on our mission to support agriculture and rural communities in Scotland and beyond.
“Pat’s in depth understanding of the issues facing farming and the rural economy and how SRUC should be positioned to respond have been of immense benefit. We are grateful for his wise counsel and his innovative outlook which have been of particular value during several notable periods. These include the merger of the land-base colleges to establish SRUC, the ongoing development of our partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the additional support he provided to Janet Swadling during her period as Acting Principal and Chief Executive, the process of my appointment as Principal and Chief Executive and, most recently, the current development of a dynamic and forward-thinking new strategy for SRUC which is aimed at cementing our role as a driver of the Scottish rural economy while tackling the complex global challenges involved in feeding a growing world population.”
Pat’s involvement with the college began when he joined the Boards of SAC and SAC Commercial in 2007. He became Vice Chair of each Board in 2012 before becoming SRUC Chairman in 2015. He has been a member of the SRUC Board’s Finance & General Purposes Committee since October 2007, becoming Committee Chair in 2011, and a member of the Appointments & Remuneration Committee since October 2012.
Speaking of his decision to step down after his decade-long involvement with SRUC, Pat said: “It has been a great privilege to have been a part of SRUC’s development during the past 10 years – I have found it extremely rewarding to contribute to this fantastic organisation which is so much a part of the fabric of Scottish rural life. My decision to step back has certainly not been an easy one, particularly given the truly exciting period SRUC is now entering under the leadership of Professor Powell, during which the college is set to play an ever more important role. I will continue to take a great interest in SRUC’s development while devoting time to existing and newer commitments including my Chairmanship of Opportunity North East’s Food, Drink & Agriculture Sector Board.”
The process of recruiting a new SRUC Chair, for appointment in October next year, will begin shortly.
Photo caption: Patrick Machray has announced his decision to step down from his role as Chairman of SRUC.
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