{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"R2Kast 414 – Sarah Jane Laing on Scottish Land and Estates, rural policy and leading through Covid","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/1770985432279-23f9ab31-0bc0-4799-877a-1f1ee1c0f642.jpeg?height=200","description":"

Today we welcome Sarah Jane to the R2Kast 🎙️ Chief Executive of Scottish Land and Estates and someone who has spent two decades shaping rural policy in Scotland. 🌾


We spoke about her background growing up in Kelso, her route from studying philosophy and psychology into rural policy, and how a summer job with the local authority set the direction for her career. From joining SLE in 2004 to becoming Chief Executive just months before Covid hit, she shared what it was like leading a national membership organisation through one of the most turbulent periods in recent history. 🍎


A big part of the conversation focused on what SLE actually does. Representing land based businesses across Scotland, from smallholders to large estates, influencing legislation on housing, agriculture, natural capital and land reform. Sarah Jane explained how policy positions are shaped by members, how influence works in practice, and why future land management has to balance people, jobs and nature.


We also discussed farming support, natural capital, land reform, political ideology, and the importance of evidence over belief when shaping rural legislation. It was an honest conversation about the realities of working in policy and the responsibility that comes with representing a diverse rural membership. 🌍


Enjoy! 🙂


","author_name":"Wallace Currie"}