Holly McLennan was appointed as director of communications and external affairs at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), leading the organisation’s efforts to promote the benefits of red meat as part of a sustainable Scotland and the Scottish red meat industry’s role in the economy.
In an interview with BGAJ membership secretary Philip Case, Holly discusses her recent decision to join the Guild and outlines her goals for her membership.
How did you hear about the Guild? My fellow colleagues at Quality Meat Scotland.
What are you hoping to gain by joining the Guild? Relationship building and networking with journalists and fellow communications professionals in agriculture.
What professional experience do you have in journalism/PR? PR is my bread and butter, having studied it at university and working in private and public sector communications roles since 2012. I’ve dabbled in some food and drink journalism too.
Do you hail from a farming background? No. I’m a food fanatic and very much support local farmers in my personal life. I have worked in communications roles for public sector food and drink organisations supporting industry for the past decade, including meat operations, aquaculture and agriculture.
If you could farm in any country, which would you choose? Scotland.
What is your go-to strategy for staying productive during the workday? I force myself to select the one most important thing I need to achieve that day (even if ‘multiple priorities) and make sure I do it. No excuses.
What are your professional goals and aspirations? I am in year one of my first director role, here at Quality Meat Scotland. It’s always been a dream to be in a communications leadership role for a food organisation. So, now that I’m here, I am going to enjoy this achievement and challenge for a while!
What’s something you’re passionate about? People – I like building connections and relationships, learning from and being inspired by others as well as supporting those I can in their own personal growth.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? I joke that going to restaurants is my hobby – it’s up there as one of my favourite things to do! I also enjoy art, cooking, running and reading.
What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend? Spending them in Leith (where I stay) with my husband and our family dog – Porridge. Enjoying produce from the local butcher and baker for our breakfast rolls and Sunday steak pie. Going for lazy strolls around ‘The Shore’, enjoying the Saturday market, cozying up to a good book or film or, when it takes our fancy, hitting the local pubs. Whatever we do, you can bet good scran is at the heart of it!
What’s a book, film, or show you’d recommend? Call me basic but Harry Potter will always be tremendously special to me. I am also a fan of the author Gillian Flynn and would recommend films and series based on her thrillers, such as Gone Girl and Sharp Objects.
What is your favourite holiday destination? I have a soft spot for Puerto Pollensa, Majorca having frequented with my family growing up.
Tell us about something you’re proud of accomplishing? Finally marrying my long-term partner and having everyone we love in one place – it was pure joy and a feeling that’s not been beaten in my life so far!
What is your life mantra? Don’t let your mind control you. Control your mind.
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know? I’m left-handed and in early primary school wrote back to front (the sentences would be right to left rather than left to right). And I still somehow made a career out of writing!
