Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Crofting Commission

The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity today announced the appointment of Andrew Thin as Chair of the Crofting Commission.

The Minister said:

“I am happy to appoint Andrew Thin as Chair of the Crofting Commission and look forward to working with him over the coming years.“

Chair

Andrew Thin has been a Board Member of the Crofting Commission since September 2022. His hands-on, practical experience of crofting dates back to the 1960s. He has an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. His previous public sector board roles have included Chair of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Chair of Scottish Natural Heritage, Chair of Scottish Canals and Chair of the Scottish Land Commission.

He lives near Inverness and in his spare time enjoys hill walking, cycling and long distance running. He was made an OBE in 2014 for services to the rural economy.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 2 years and runs from 3 February 2025 to 18 March 2027.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £247.20 for a time commitment of 8 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Andrew Thin does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Andrew Thin has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Crofting Commission is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which operates on a day-to-day basis independently of the Scottish Government, but for which Scottish Ministers are ultimately responsible.  The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 created the Crofting Commission, which came into being on 1 April 2012, taking over from the Crofters Commission. The Commission’s general functions are: regulating crofting, re-organising crofting, promoting the interests of crofting, and keeping under review matters relating to crofting.

The Commission’s vision is that crofts and crofting communities continue to enhance the social, cultural, economic and environmental fabric of the crofting areas.  Its purpose is to regulate the crofting system fairly and reasonable to protect it for future generations.