SAOS Announces new Co-op Development Appointments

SAOS, Scotland’s agri co-op and supply chain collaboration experts, have appointed two new Co-op Development Managers, further strengthening the organisation’s expertise and capacity in co-operative development.

Robert Logan, Head of Co-operative Development at SAOS, commented:

“We are delighted to confirm that Claire Dyce and Adam Forrest will be joining SAOS. Both are well known to us with several of the team having worked with them previously, I am sure they will be a great fit for the team.  Appointing the best people means we’re investing in SAOS’s future, developing and supporting our members and, in turn, the delivery of SAOS’s ambitious plans for shaping the future of farming and food.”

Claire Dyce joins SAOS in August from one of our most innovative members, Grampian Growers, where she worked for over ten years, most recently as New Business Development Manager, leading on various Research and Development projects. Additionally, Claire managed the co-op’s cut daffodil division. Claire also led the Next Generation Group and is Chair of the Flowers Grown in Scotland group, as well as being the most recent winner of the SAOS Next Generation Award.

Claire is a graduate of St Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada, having completed their highly-regarded Certificate in Co-operative Management, and brings that wider co-op learning in addition to practical co-op business experience and project management skills.

Claire commented:

“I am thrilled to be joining SAOS and look forward to applying my experience in co-op development and project delivery, to help drive meaningful progress in Scottish agriculture through co-operation. I’m looking forward to building strong relationships to support the team and members in delivering innovative activities that generate lasting benefits for co-ops.”

Adam Forrest will join the team in October. Most recently, Adam has been Scotland Manager for the Nature Friendly Farming Network, where he has led on strategy, stakeholder engagement and national representation. Prior to this, he was Organics Development Manager at Scotland Food & Drink, successfully advocating for, and helping shape, Scotland’s new Organic Action Plan.

In these roles, he has shown the ability to build trusted relationships and mobilise networks to deliver strategic outcomes. Adam’s background is in rural and business development, and he also brings valuable experience in policy development, industry engagement and commercial strategy.

Adam told us:

“I’m excited to be joining SAOS. I believe the organisation plays a unique role in helping farmers work together to innovate and thrive. Co-operation is one of the most powerful tools we have for building a fairer, more resilient rural economy so I’m looking forward to supporting co-ops that are already doing great work and helping with the groundwork for new ones to emerge and succeed.”

SAOS is a co-operative, owned by around 60 member co-ops, whose collective turnover is around £1.5 billion.

More at https://www.saos.coop