John joined Scotland Food & Drink in August 2020 to take up a new position in the organisation as Strategy and External Relations Director. With overall responsibility for industry development and growth, one of John’s main priorities is to oversee the delivery of the national Recovery Plan which seeks to support the industry recovery from the pandemic, re-capture lost markets, and build business capability to help target new and emerging opportunities. In addition, John leads the organisation’s outreach strategy and in particular developing new relations with the UK Government around future trade policy. Prior to joining Scotland Food & Drink John held a number of senior positions across the Scottish Government, including food & drink, health, justice, transport, and as the Private Secretary to Richard Lochhead, the then Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.