This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Deer Commission for Scotland
17/01/2005
Three re-appointments and eight new appointments to the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) were announced today.
The re-appointments are: Sir Michael Strang Steel, Professor Susan Walker and James Duncan Millar.
The new appointments are: Dr Andrew Barbour, James Earl of Dalhousie, Andrew Hamilton, Dr Peter Mayhew, Dr Josephine Pemberton, Simon Pepper, Niall Rowantree and Dr Colin Shedden.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Lewis Macdonald said:
"These individuals have been selected from a very strong field of candidates. I am sure they will make a positive contribution in the development and promotion of effective deer management in Scotland."
Of the re-appointees, Sir Michael Strang Steel and Professor Susan Walker will serve for a further three years, and James Duncan Miller for one year, from January 1, 2005.
All the newly appointed members will serve for three years with the possibility of re-appointment subject to satisfactory performance assessments.
The DCS is a non-departmental public body responsible for the conservation, control and sustainable management of wild deer and to keep under review all matters including deer welfare.
Appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. Each part-time post attracts a remuneration of £4,194 for a time commitment of three days per month.
None of those re-appointed or newly appointed have been involved in any political activity within the last five years.
Of the re-appointees, Sir Michael Strang Steel and James Duncan Miller hold no other Ministerial appointments while Susan Walker is also a Board member of Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The only new members holding Ministerial appointment are Andrew Hamilton who is a member of the Scottish Ministers' Panel of Agricultural Arbiters and Simon Pepper who is a member of the Forestry Commission's National Committee.
Re-appointments:
Sir Michael Strang Steel CBE has farming and forestry interests in the Borders. He was a Forestry Commissioner from 1988 to 1999 and Chair of the Native Woodlands Advisory Panel during this period. Sir Michael is Chair of the Timber Marketing Group, the Scottish Forestry Trust and was, until recently, Chair of Alba Trees plc. He is a Member of the Forestry and Timber Association, the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is President of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society.
Professor Susan Walker OBE lives in Braemar and has particular interests in integrated land and water management. She is a part-time Professor of Geography and the Environment at the University of Aberdeen and a freelance consultant specialising in sustainable and integrated river basin management. She serves as a Board Member of Scottish Natural Heritage, receiving remuneration of £8,587 and is a Board Member of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for which she receives remuneration of £5,909.
Prof Walker is also a Member of the Fisheries (Electricity) Committee receiving remuneration of £130 per meeting and the Cairngorms National Park Authority at £182.50 per day.
James Duncan Millar LVO lives in Aberfeldy and has served as a Company Commander, Training Officer and Staff Officer at the Ministry of Defence. He returned from service to manage his family's Remony Estate in 1985. In 1987 he became Chair of the South Loch Tay Deer Management Group and was appointed Chair of the South Perthshire Deer Management Group in 1993. Mr Duncan Millar is Convenor of Atholl and Breadalbane Agricultural Society sheep section and Chair of Kenmore and District Community Council.
New appointments:-
Dr Andrew Barbour is a farmer and forester at Atholl Estates in Blair Atholl. He is a member of the Perth and Argyll Regional Forestry Forum and is active in the West Grampian Deer Management Group. Dr Barbour is also Chair of the British and Irish Hardwoods Improvement Programme's birch breeding group.
James Earl of Dalhousie is the landowner of Dalhousie Estates in Brechin. He is President of the British Deer Society, Chairman of East Grampian Deer Management Group and of Scottish Woodland Ltd and vice-Chair of The Game Conservancy Trust.
Andrew Hamilton is a surveyor and land agent based in Banchory. He is a member of the Scottish Ministers' Panel of Agricultural Arbiters with no remuneration and is a member of the Executive's Consultative Panel on Crofting and Land Reform. Mr Hamilton also served on the Expert Working Group on the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill and is an active member of various deer management groups.
Dr Peter Mayhew is a senior conservation manager at RSPB Scotland, a role which includes the development of deer management at Abernethy Forest Reserve. He is Chair of the Capercaillie Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group and member of the Deer Commission for Scotland's Round Table.
Dr Josephine Pemberton is a university lecturer at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Edinburgh. She researches deer and their biology and has conducted research for various bodies including the Deer Commission for Scotland.
Simon Pepper OBE is Director of WWF Scotland and is a leading figure in the environmental movement in Scotland. He is a landowner in Aberfeldy managing deer and forestry. Mr Pepper is a member of the National Committee of the Forestry Commission receiving remuneration of £4,000 per annum and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland. He was also founding Chairman of the Millennium Forest for Scotland.
Niall Rowantree is the head stalker and manager of Corrour Estate in Fort William. He has managed open range and woodland deer species all over Scotland being employed as a deer manager and wildlife ranger.
Dr Colin Shedden is a Director with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Scotland (BASC). He was previously a deer advisory officer with BASC and Scottish Natural Heritage. Dr Shedden is currently a member of the Access Forum and the National Goose Management Review Group.