Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we work with food and farming businesses to make them more profitable, competitive, and sustainable - #workingtogether to shape the future, today.
All our work helps facilitate farmers and food and drink businesses to work together effectively. Over the years we've expanded and developed subsidiary businesses - getting the right people together and making innovative advancements - to help benefit food, farming and rural Scotland.
Developing staff capability is one of the most effective ways to improve a co-op’s performance. Check out our events and training programme - most of which are open to non co-op members too.
As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.
See below for all the latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS. Find all our latest videos on YouTube at: SAOS - working together in food and farming
James Withers is the former Chief Executive of NFU Scotland and Scotland Food & Drink and has worked for over 25 years in the UK farming, food and drink sector.
He now has a portfolios of roles, including heading up SAOS’s public affairs work.
He is Chair of the Natural Source Waters Association, the voice of the UK’s £2.4 billion bottled water sector. He is a board member of Crown Estate Scotland, helping to drive forward its £1 billion coastal, offshore, urban and rural estate.
He is also a board member of Abbey Group, the UK and Ireland’s leading inbound travel and tourism business.
He owns and runs his own business, JR Withers Advisory, which provides consultancy support to government, industry bodies and commercial businesses.
In 2023, James was appointed by Scottish Government Ministers to lead an independent review of Scotland’s education and skills system. His report led to new legislation being passed by the Scottish Parliament and major reform is ongoing.
James was appointed a GlobalScot in 2022, working to strengthen Scotland’s trade and investment performance.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.