Mark Tennant and his family run the Innes Estate in Moray. He is a former chairman of Scottish Financial Enterprise and former deputy chairman of the Scottish Government’s financial services advisory board.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Tennant said: “It is with very great pleasure that I take on the role as SLE chairman. It is a great honour and will present some very interesting challenges in the coming few years. I will be working on several key issues and top of the list is ensuring Scotland’s rural businesses and communities are provided with all the information and help they need, ensuring they climb out as sure-footed as possible from the appalling damage which COVID-19 has done.

“Our farming members continue to provide a crucial service to Scotland through feeding the nation and we are hearing many wonderful stories of how others are helping their local communities at a time when their own businesses are impacted.

“Amidst the horror of this pandemic, we need to recognise that Brexit has not gone away. Our members’ businesses across rural Scotland and the wider communities will be deeply affected by how the negotiations turn out. I will be doing all I can to ensure rural Scotland is considered as the Brexit story continues to unfold.

“The situation we are in as a country at the moment should not allow us to forget the target of net-zero carbon emissions the Scottish Government has set, and the crucial role land managers will need to play in achieving it, such as using land as a carbon sink to drain greenhouse gas emissions.

“Over the coming months as we enter the ‘new normal’, we have the opportunity to consider how the way we do business could play a crucial role in fighting climate change.”

Mr Tennant’s family business, Innes Estate in Elgin, has been a member of SLE for over 40 years. During that time, Mr Tennant has been a member of the organisation’s Highland Committee twice as well as vice-chair (Policy) since 2018.

Also at the AGM, Hugh Campbell Adamson and Sarah-Jane Laing were reappointed as directors and members of the Board.