Scotland Food & Drink chair Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne is to step down from her role when her tenure ends in October this year.

She has been in the role since 2021.

Food and drink is Scotland’s biggest employer and the industry is worth £15 billion. In 2022 alone, exports of Scottish food and drink were valued at over £8 billion.

Scotland Food and Drink CEO Iain Baxter said: “Lucinda is a greatly valued ambassador for our industry, bringing passion and commitment to supporting the sector and helping create opportunities for growth.

“Myself, the board, the partnership and the team at Scotland Food & Drink has enjoyed working with her and she’ll be greatly missed. We wish her all the best for the future.”

Bruce-Gardyne said: “I am extremely proud of all that has been achieved by our CEO Iain Baxter and his team, the board and the partnership, during this time.

“We have significantly upgraded the workings of the business and executive team, creating a firm foundation for both the delivery of the national strategy that we had the privilege to shape, and the outstanding external facing work our new exec team is delivering for our members and industry across the UK and globally.

“In March, Showcasing Scotland shone a bright light on our nation’s outstanding produce, with a potential £77m in sales of new business generated between our producers and the global buyers invited to the event.

“Launching Scotland’s national food and drink brand ‘Naturally Scottish’ this year, was also an important development, enabling our sector to powerfully and movingly promote Scotland’s magnificent larder and food heritage.

“I am also pleased to see a greater awareness of the importance of scientific understanding, to aid efficient food and drink innovation and production, while we also work hard to improve the sector’s accessibility to funding opportunities and enable businesses to scale sustainably …

“It is now time to find Scotland Food & Drink’s next chair who will build on these successes and continue to support and inspire the organisation and industry going forward.”