Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Scottish Food Commission Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dennis Overton as the first Chair of the Scottish Food Commission. This is an important step in the process of establishing this new public body, which will play an integral role in Scotland’s path towards becoming a Good Food Nation.

Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

“I am delighted to welcome Dennis as the first Chair of the Scottish Food Commission. His appointment represents an important step in our Good Food Nation journey. I know that his years of experience will ensure that the Scottish Food Commission is set up on solid foundations.

“His expertise will help to develop it into an effective oversight body to advise and provide recommendations to both Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities on the content and implementation of our Good Food Nation Plans.

“I look forward to working with Dennis in the coming years as we realise our Good Food Nation ambitions”

 

Chair

Dennis brings extensive expertise and knowledge of the Scottish food system to this role. He has worked as a farmer and processor of quality food produced on land and in the sea. He co-founded the sustainable aquaculture business Aquascot in 1987 and isa pioneer of organic salmon farming and more recently Scottish seaweed farming. He chaired the Soil Association 2013-17, as Food For Life, a programme revolutionising school meals across the UK, was developed. A founding director in 1999 and subsequent chair of Scotland Food & Drink, Dennis is a believer in the power of collaboration to drive positive change in the complex food system. From 2022 to 2024 he was chair of SRUC's commercial arm SAC Consulting, where he supported the business to significantly expand its advisory work in regenerative farming and biodiversity gain across Scotland. Dennis chairs the West Highland land and renewable energy business, Ardtornish, with its soon to be regenerative sheep and cattle enterprises. Committed to the growth of local food economies across Scotland, Dennis has been a trustee of the Highland Good Food Partnership since 2020.

 

Appointment

This appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 15 August 2024 to 14 August 2028.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

 

Remuneration

The appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £221 per day for a time commitment of 6 days per month.

 

Other ministerial appointments

Dennis Overton 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.   

Dennis Overton has had no political activity within the last five years.

 

Background

The Scottish Food Commission is a new non-departmental public body that is to be established to provide an oversight role of provisions made in the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. The board of the Scottish Food Commission will have a collective responsibility to make strategic decisions and take independent actions to carry out the functions as outlined in the Good Food Nation Act Section 20. The functions of the Scottish Food Commission relate directly to Good Food Nation Plans of Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities (currently local authorities and health boards).