SCOTTISH REGION
GROUP REPORTS
2020 certainly was a year like no other – a year when staying at home would save lives! However, as we entered into 2021 it was clear that the challenges of COVID-19, Brexit and of course the good old British weather weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. But it is amazing to reflect that 8 months into 2021, a huge proportion of the country is now vaccinated, and with things starting to ease, we enter a new era of normality. Despite the unprecedented challenges of last year, 2020 ended on a high for the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group with fantastic presentations from the 2019 returning scholars, including Claire Hodge, Penny Montgomery and Richard Walker, and a truly inspiring presentation from 2019 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award winner, Jim Shanks. I was also fortunate and truly honoured to be selected as the recipient of the HSBC Silver Salver award. In addition, we also welcomed 2021 scholars, John Gray and Ranald Angus, into the Nuffield Scotland family. The 2020 NFST AGM also marked the end of Jim Shanks tenure as Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group, and on behalf of the entire group, I would like to extend my thanks and massive appreciation to Jim for his dedication over the last few years. It was an honour to work alongside Jim as Secretary and he has left very big boots to fill! With the dawn of 2021, I was honoured to pick up the baton of Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group for a 2-year tenure. As I eased into the role it was an opportunity
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to establish a new leadership structure and I was delighted to be joined by Neil McGowan and Jamie McIntosh in their new roles as ViceChair and Secretary, respectively. Right off the back of our appointments we went straight into planning the Nuffield Scotland AGM. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we weren’t able to do our usual weekend getaway however a virtual offering meant that we had the opportunity to invite a guest speaker from further afield. With robotics, AI and data hot on everyone’s lips right now, we were extremely fortunate to secure Ben Scott-Robinson, CEO and coFounder of Small Robot Company. Ben spoke to the group about understanding weed distribution and densities when designing per plant weed control systems which led to lots of discussion and debate. We also had an excellent presentation from Claire Hodge on her GFP travels, and the evening was complete by an at home gin tasting with the amazing Kim Cameron from Gin Bothy. The new year also brought the opening of the 2021/2 NFST applications. Nuffield Scotland
