Our Co-operative Board
SQC is a co-operative with a board of farming and associated industry partners.
SQC is a co-operative with a board of eight directors to support the Managing Director.
The board is always led by farmers in the role of Chair and Vice Chair, and each of the other directors represents an organisation from across the supply chain, from grower to buyer. The Chair and Vice Chair roles are independent of any organisation, as is the role of Technical Director.
The board’s primary responsibility is to provide strategic oversight and make decisions that serve the best interests of the co-op’s membership. The Managing Director takes forward the strategy and direction agreed by the SQC Board.
The cooperative board is integral to the lean business model of SQC which operates with only one employed member of staff, the Managing Director, in a part time role. They each bring with them specialist knowledge, differing perspectives and valuable insights.
The strength of SQC’s assurance scheme comes from its co-operation with the whole supply chain to understand the needs of markets and how to ensure access to these for its grower membership.
The business of the cooperative board is:
- To operate and manage a crop quality assurance and traceability scheme that demonstrates safe, traceable and environmentally responsible production of arable crops within Scotland.
- To represent growers’ interests by providing an industry voice with relevant stakeholders including influencing emerging policy and legislation to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for SQC growers’ businesses.
- To proactively communicate and engage with growers and industry stakeholders to understand market requirements and explore industry development opportunities to help improve the economic sustainability of SQC members businesses.
SQC established the Scottish Crop Supply Chain Hub in 2022, a wider network of stakeholders beyond the board.
Through regular meetings and shared updates on the sector from both the Board and the Hub, SQC ensures its standards remain relevant, required, and aligned with future market needs.
