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
21 January 2027
Crieff Hydro Hotel
Book now here!
Session 1 – Building on what we know to create change
Our opening session, hosted by SAOS’s Patrick Hughes, will focus on how we update and adapt to meet the needs of tomorrow using the lessons of yesterday.
We’ll hear from Dutch farming entrepreneur (and recent Clarkson’s Farm guest star) Jacob van den Borne, on the adaptation, adoption and mindset shift he feels are needed for a resilient future.
Joining our first panel session:
Young farmer Anna Wylie whose legal and policy background helps lend a powerful voice to discussions on future farming policy and the development of resilient, relocalised food systems.
John Housego, MD of Aquascot (and formerly of Goretex) is a passionate advocate for developing employee ownership as a business model, not only to benefit the health and welfare of the staff, but also to improve company resilience and performance.
Session 2 – Creating a policy landscape fit for an ambitious future
This session, hosted by SAOS’s recently-appointed Head of Public Affairs, James Withers, will explore how we can influence the required policy-driven frameworks to allow the rural economy to develop and thrive.
We’ll hear from respected farming leader Dame Minette Batters on the need for collaborative leadership and for focused, targeted investment in technical and business skills as drivers of farm profitability and resilience.
Joining the panel discussion:
Andy McGowan, a man of many hats, including Technical & Sustainability Director of the United Pig Co-op, SAOS Board member, Andy has over 25 years’ experience representing co-ops, sectors and industry at the highest level.
Session 3 – Developing leadership and skills for a resilient sector
Our third session, hosted by Moira Stalker, will delve into skills and leadership – how these need to evolve and develop to nurture the talent for a resilient future.
Our speakers are Leadership Development Specialist, Fiona Dewar, who will set the scene from a change management and coaching perspective, and Digital Skills Lead at the Digital Dairy Chain, Lynne Sommerville will tackle the need for a skills strategy fit for a strong and resilient future.
This session’s panel will also include John Jarvie. As HR Director, John has been key to Highland Spring’s organisational transformation to support growth, improve performance, and develop leadership capability.
We’ll also hear from Tracey McEwan, Services Co-ordinator at Tarff Valley who leads on delivery of the Land-Based Pre-Apprenticeship Programme across southwest Scotland.
We will of course have plenty of time for networking and making new connections over regular breaks and lunch.
We’re grateful to have NFU Mutual as our headline sponsor once again. We are also delighted to welcome several new sponsors this year, enriching the experience for the next generation and as a 'Session Sponsor' - more of these sponsors will be revealed soon.
Book now at SAOS Conference 2027 - Growing Capability for a Resilient Future (Our Early Bird offer closes on 31 Oct and all tickets are available from 1st Nov)
You can find out more about all our speakers and panellists here!