Quality Meat Scotland has started the search for a new chief executive following the resignation of its CEO Jan Polley.
Polley took up the role in January 2003, having previously held the position of director of industry development at the organisation, on secondment from the civil service.
Before QMS, Polley worked for the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department where she co-ordinated rural policy, food policy, the livestock sector and links with the EU on agriculture.
Donald Biggar, interim chairman of QMS, said: “Jan did an outstanding job in building an organisation that could successfully deliver on its new, broader range of responsibilities for the Scottish industry.
He added: “The organisation and the industry have greatly benefited from her knowledge and skills.”