The 31-year-old started as a finance controller at the family run business in 2022 and has climbed the ladder to now oversee the firm’s finance function, spearheading a major streamlining project in the process which saved the business countless hours, improving accuracy and timelines across its financial team.

The appointment comes at a poignant time for the family dairy, which is answering sustained demand for its award-winning traditional ranges of butter and milk products but also responding to the growing trend for high protein and cottage cheese products, with early growth plans indicating operational expansion as production hits capacity.

Graham’s Family Dairy is no stranger to innovative growth, having seen their business grow from a modest 220 pints of milk, hand delivered by horse and cart, to around 530,000 pints of milk now being sold each day and as the dairy continues to expand, so does its talented workforce.

Ms Matthew said: “We’ve seen some incredible growth as a business in the past years and to be making the step up to director level to continue to drive that is a huge milestone for me.

“With budding talent flying through the ranks and expansion plans on the horizon, there are certainly big things around the corner for Graham’s Family Dairy, ensuring we continue to deliver products to a growing customer base.

“It’s brilliant to be working with a wide range of dairy products which continues to perform well in a crowded market, highlighting consumers’ drive to pick quality Scottish produce.”

In her new role within the senior management team, Ms Matthew will aim to look past the numbers by fostering relationships with key partners to consolidate external processes. Having qualified as a chartered accountant in 2018, she will also look to double down on the next generation of farming finance, by being a mentor for younger staff looking to tackle finance qualifications.

Managing director of Graham’s Family Dairy, Robert Graham, said: “Since joining the team Rachel has shown innovation and helped to develop how we operate as a business financially – so it’s no surprise that she’s climbed the ranks as quickly as she has.

“As we expand our operations and up our production numbers, it’s absolutely crucial we have people like Rachel in leadership positions to use their expertise and fresh-thinking to help grow our Scottish business rooted in family values.”