Prior to his retirement in 2022, Mark’s career of 38 years focussed on the sustainable use of land. This included leadership responsibilities across land policy development, research, consultancy, teaching and training, partnership working and management positions. Much of his career has involved working with senior staff across the Scottish Government and its Agencies, environmental charities, the rural land sector and other stakeholders.
• 2004-2022 – SEPA’s Principal Policy Officer on Land, and Manager of the Land Policy Unit. Mark was SEPA’s policy lead on rural land issues and his main focus was on the environmental impacts of rural land management. This included developing policies to minimise pollution, protect soil, air and water, mitigate climate change.
• 1992-2004 – Scotland’s Rural College as Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, and later Team Leader and Principal Consultant in Land Management.
• 1984-1992- Soil Science Adviser with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Mark is currently a Trustee for John Muir Trust, Nourish Scotland and Scottish Wild Land Group and his main interests are mountaineering, appreciating nature and wildlife watching.