THE Scottish Seabird Centre’s chief executive has been named as the new chairperson of a leading research institute.

Susan Davies has been at the helm of the North Berwick attraction since 2019 and is also a former director of conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Now, after more than five years as a trustee of The James Hutton Institute – the globally recognised Scottish research institute focused on the sustainable use of land, crops and natural resources – she has become the group’s chairperson.

Ms Davies said: “I couldn’t be prouder to be taking over as chair of what is quite rightly considered one of the world’s leading research institutes.

“The James Hutton Institute helps societies across the globe respond to ever-growing challenges around food security, sustainable management of our natural resources and net-zero.

“We are all at a milestone moment in working together to build the economic, environmental, and societal resilience to climate change and tackling nature loss.

“Whilst our roots are in Scotland, the Hutton team collaborates with a vast range of global stakeholders, including governments, business, researchers, land managers and communities from around the world.

“I look forward to working with them to ensure science continues to have a positive and lasting impact for us all.”

Originally from Peebles, Ms Davies’ early career was spent as an adviser/head of unit with the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee, where she was involved in the development and implementation of nature legislation and species and habitat recovery programmes across the UK and at a European level.

She replaces current chairperson Ian Gambles.

Ms Davies, who lives in Dunbar, will step into the role in mid-September and will be working closely with Mr Gambles in the interim to ensure a smooth transition between the two.