Our Scottish team

Our team in Scotland ensures that we are responsive to Scottish issues and maintain strong and co-operative relationships with our key contacts in government, industry and local communities.

Our principal office is in Edinburgh, although many of our staff are based throughout the country to ensure we maintain strong relationships with local partners. On our five rural estates in particular, our local staff are an important contact for tenants and local communities. There are also local managing agents based in Inverness, Aberdeen, Bonar Bridge, Fort William, Gairloch, Lochgilphead and Perth.

Our Scottish leadership team comprises senior staff who are the main point of contact for the Scottish Government and Parliament:

  • Alasdair Rankin heads marine business development with responsibility for ports and harbours
  • John Stevenson heads up offshore wind in Scottish Territorial Waters and the fast developing wave and tidal energy sector
  • Tom Mallows is responsible for policy and environment issues
  • Alan Laidlaw heads up the rural estate including forestry
  • Dermot Grimson has responsibility for marine external relations, marine policy and planning.

Scotland is represented on The Crown Estate's Board by a Scottish Commissioner, currently Gareth Baird.

The Scottish team of 35 staff includes a number of new members, as we respond to growth in some areas and changing demand in others.

Our forestry expertise in Scotland extends beyond our borders. In Edinburgh, our staff have UK-wide responsibility for forestry management including business development, education and outreach.