Dee Ward appointed new chair of Scottish Land & Estates

Dee Ward has been appointed as the chair for Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).

The appointee has excellent credentials. Mr Ward owns and runs a mixed upland estate in the Angus Glens, the Rottal Estate, which he bought with the proceeds of successful businesses.  Although it is a traditional sporting estate the focus is also on biodiversity and wildlife. There is also a hydro-electric scheme in place.

The estate plays an important part in the local community, providing employment and supporting tourism with holiday lets, weddings and events. Conservation projects include peatland restoration, flood control, tree planting and river restoration.

Dee has contributed articles to Shooting Times. He is also chairman of Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) and the Angus Glens Moorland Group.

 

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Education

He is keen to counter criticism of shooting with facts and by informing and meeting his opponents, saying in a recent article for Shooting Times: “Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the head of wildlife crime investigations at the RSPB, and Revive — Scotland’s self-styled coalition for grouse moor reform — to visit, and even the League Against Cruel Sports. My mission is twofold — I want to create a haven for wild game and show those who have the power to harm us what we actually do.”

Speaking exclusively to Shooting UK following his appointment he said: “Huge change is on the horizon for rural Scotland but there are challenges and opportunities which I’m certain that farms and estates are well-placed to respond to.”

“Scottish landowners and managers are going to play an increasingly important role in mitigating climate change and biodiversity, and SLE’s members are uniquely placed to do this at scale. We look forward to working with Scot Govt, NatureScot and other eNGO’s and being a key delivery partner for their 30×30 and 2045 targets.

“Holistically and sustainably managed landholdings can deliver sustainable food production, wildlife and biodiversity, natural capital and nature-based solutions, as well as sustainable shooting, stalking and fishing that is so important to bring visitors into Scotland as well as supporting rural workers and their families in fragile rural communities.”

 

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