A former Argyll man has been announced as the new chief executive of the Crofting Commission, after the previous incumbent Bill Barron stepped down last month.
Gary Campbell, who grew up in Taynuilt, where he was brought up on the family croft, has a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, including a strong track record of working in the Highlands and Islands.
He is a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).
He trained with EY (previously Ernst & Young) in their Inverness office and spent 30 years working with the company across the Highlands and Islands, advising commercial businesses.
He has worked for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) for the last 11 years.
He is currently a member of the senior management team at UHI, most recently holding the post of Director of Economic Development and Commercial Services.
Previously, as key account director, he led the university’s employer engagement team which involved extensive interaction with businesses, communities and other public and third sector organisations across the Highlands and Islands.
Gary also has previous CEO experience, having run a Tain-based manufacturing company with a worldwide customer base.
For the past four years he has also been a trustee of Inverness Harbour, where he currently also holds the non-executive role of vice chair.
Mr Campbell will take up his new role as chief executive of the Crofting Commission on January 3 2024.
Mr Campbell said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as chief executive of the Crofting Commission. I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing crofting and am passionate about supporting crofters and their communities to thrive.
“I look forward to working with the commission’s board, staff and stakeholders to deliver on the commission’s strategic plan and to help shape the future of crofting in Scotland.”
Chairman of the Crofting Commission Malcolm Mathieson said: “I am confident that Gary will be a valuable asset to the commission and that he will lead the organisation effectively in the years to come.”
Minister for Energy and the Environment Gillian Martin MSP added: “I would like to thank Bill Barron for his service as CEO, under his tenure the Crofting Commission successfully navigated a number of challenges.
“The commission is now focused on improving its function as an effective regulator and to helping to deliver Scottish Government priorities for crofting, not least to increase the active use of crofts and common grazings.
“I know that Gary will bring a range of skills and experience to this role and look forward to working closely with him.”
The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has also welcomed the announcement.
“On behalf of the SCF, I’d like to congratulate Gary on his appointment and very much look forward to an early meeting with him when he takes up his post,” said Donna Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation.
She added: “Gary is joining the commission at a crucial time for crofting with work on the Crofting Bill continuing and still much more work needed in using the regulatory powers of the Commission to ensure that as many crofts as possible are occupied, maintained and put to purposeful use.
“The SCF will be keen to understand how Gary will approach these issues and continue to reduce the length of time regulatory cases are taking to progress.”