Former far north enterprise chief appointed to Crofting Commission
A former chief executive of the local enterprise company in the far north has been named by the Crofting Commission as one of two new commissioners.
Andrew Thin, who was in charge of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) in the 1990s, will take up his position immediately along with the other new addition, Duncan Macaulay, after being appointed by Scottish Government ministers.
Crofting Commission chairman Malcolm Mathieson said: “I’m delighted to welcome two new commissioners to the board of the Crofting Commission, both of whom bring exceptional experience and knowledge to the role.
"There is no doubt that we are living and working in difficult times, but I am confident that as a refreshed commission we have the skills and knowledge to effectively regulate and support crofting into the future.”
The organisation's chief executive, Bill Barron, said: “I am greatly looking forward to working with Andrew and Duncan in their new roles as commissioners. The Crofting Commission is undergoing a real transformation in 2022, which I hope will put us on an excellent footing to support crofting and develop its potential for our remote rural communities."

Mr Thin was a senior investment manager with the Highlands and Islands Development Board as well as chief executive of CASE in addition to being a crofters commissioner in the early 2000s. His previous public sector roles have included chairman of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage and, until 2022, chairman of Scottish Canals, as well as being a non-executive director in the Scottish Government finance division.
Mr Thin said: “Crofting tenure has been a vital strand running through the economic and social fabric of the Highlands and Islands since the late 19th century. In the face of rapid land-use change and huge pressures in the land market, it remains a strong force for stability and prosperity.
"I look forward to helping ensure that we continue to have a Crofting Commission fit for purpose in 21st century circumstances.”
Mr Macaulay has spent almost 40 years in leadership roles in global real estate and private equity investment, with direct responsibility for building and managing large-scale portfolios of assets and organisations in leading markets.
He said: “Coming from a crofting family, I am delighted to be able to contribute to crofting with the commission – in particular to help address the challenge of enabling existing and new crofters to make a reasonable living, while supporting rural communities and addressing wider concerns on land stewardship.”
Both commissioners will serve a three-year term on the board.