Meet The Team

  • Monitor Farm Delivery Team

    For the 2022-26 programme, each Monitor Farm will work closely with the Programme Manager and a Regional Adviser. The PM and farm team may bring in specialist help to consult on more detailed aspects of the baseline audit.

  • Beth Alexander

    Monitor Farm Programme Manager

    A beef and sheep farmer in Perthshire, where we run a herd of commercial suckler cows and stratified sheep system. After graduating from Newcastle University, I joined QMS as a cattle and sheep specialist in 2019. I’m delighted to be involved in a dynamic Monitor Farm Programme which will bring businesses and communities together to drive change. My role is to coordinate all activity on the 9 Monitor Farms across Scotland encouraging collaboration with farmers, industry and research to seek innovative solutions.

    Email: balexander@qmscotland.co.uk

    Mobile: 07788 927520

  • Grace Reid

    Monitor Farm Programme Manager (Maternity Cover)

    Since joining the Monitor Farm team in March 2025, my aim has been to help share ideas, solve problems, and strengthen connections across the industry to build a more resilient future for Scottish agriculture. I work with the nine Monitor Farms across Scotland to connect farmers with specialists, advisors and innovators. My role is to support the adoption of new technologies and approaches that boost productivity and profitability on farm.

    My key interests have predominantly been focussed upon livestock breeding and the production of high quality sustainable food. I am based in Perthshire and run a closed commercial flock producing Texel cross lambs and grow spring crops for malting and feed purposes.

    Email: greid@qmscotland.co.uk

    Mobile: 07353 102229

  • Peter Beattie

    Regional Adviser: North

    I work with the three Monitor Farmers in the North of Scotland: Banff and Buchan, Strathspey and Deeside and their Management Groups to help improve the resilience and sustainability of their businesses.  I have a strange passion for data and information that drive farm decisions, a lifelong love of livestock and I am happiest in the middle of our stunning landscapes on a bright day, soaking up the enthusiasm of farmers for their craft.

    Email: pbeattie@qmscotland.co.uk

    Mobile: 07769 366614

  • Christine Cuthbertson

    Regional Adviser: West

    My role is to support the three Monitor Farms in the West Cluster of the Programme which are in Argyllshire, Stirlingshire, and South Ayrshire. I work closely the Monitor Farmers and their local farming community to help build resilient, dynamic farms focused on reaching their full economic, social and  environmental sustainability.

    Born on a beef and sheep farm in Ayrshire, I have worked in the agricultural industry for over 30 years. People are my passion and I love getting framers together and hearing the buzz and passion that they have for the industry!

    Email: ccuthbertson@qmscotland.co.uk

    Mobile: 07769 366671

  • Iona Smith

    Regional Adviser: South

    Iona, 26, comes from a pedigree beef and sheep farm in South Ayrshire. She graduated from SRUC in 2022 with an Honours Degree in Rural Business Management and has a strong agricultural background. One of her main passions is cattle; she owns a pedigree Shorthorn herd and does relief milking at night alongside her full-time job as a Monitor Farm Regional Advisor. Iona established her pedigree Shorthorns in 2020 under the Torvaig prefix, running alongside her family’s Aberdeen Angus and Herefords, which the Smith family has bred for over 30 years under the well-known Milovaig prefix.
    In addition to her professional work, Iona is the current Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland. This October, she will lead the UK team to the World Hereford Conference in Kansas City, America, demonstrating her commitment and passion for the farming sector. She also plays rugby for Marr Ladies, is an avid gym-goer, and loves swimming.

    Email: ismith@qmscotland.co.uk

    Mobile: 07721 677556