The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has announced with great sadness the death of Neil Stoddart OBE, former SAMW president and leading figure across many Scottish and UK farming organisations.
Neil, who led the Broxburn-based meat business AK Stoddart through a sustained period of expansion prior to his retirement as owner in 2015, happily referred to himself thereafter as a farmer.
He was also on the board of Quality Meat Scotland, alongside taking roles within Scotland Food and Drink, the Meat & Livestock Commission and as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
Awarded an OBE in 2009 for his “distinguished services to the meat industry”, he told reporters that he was “absolutely delighted and chuffed to bits” to receive the recognition.
Always providing a clear voice within the red meat industry, Neil will be sadly missed by his former SAMW colleagues and by all others who joined him during many committee meetings and industry-based social gatherings.
Responding to SAMW executive manager Scott Walker’s post on social media platform LinkedIn, a former associate said: “So sorry to hear this… Neil was a great guy and huge support to individuals and businesses across the food and farming industry. A big loss.”
Another named him as a “great contributor and supporter of the red meat industry and wider food and drink sector”.
Former executive manager at SAMW, Alistair Donaldson, recalled his time working alongside Neil: “It was when I became SAMW executive manager during Neil’s Presidency (2000-2003) that we really developed our working relationship.
“SAMW’s ability to punch above its weight, becoming a ‘go to’ organisation in the face of many national and international pressures was, in no small measure, due to Neil’s clear, direct and insightful views. He never shied away from stating what needed to be said, a strength which earned the Association respect in the corridors of power in Edinburgh, London and Brussels.
“I was personally delighted to nominate him as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, a body of which he became a staunch supporter and an enthusiastic and popular attendee of Court Lunches.
“He was in truth a ‘man o’ pairts’ to whom the industry owes a huge gratitude. He will be sorely missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with his beloved Lyndsey and hugely cherished daughters Kate, Louise and Carol, son-in-law James and grandson Max.
SAMW’s executive team and members express their sadness and deep condolence to Neil’s wife Lyndsey and his family.
