On the move: Latest appointments and promotions

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has announced the appointment of Ben Dell as its new market gardener for the Edible Garden.

Ben Dell is the new market gardner at RBGE's Edible Garden. Picture: Contributed

This newly created position is funded by Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, the venue’s hospitality and catering partner. Dell, who has worked at RBGE for close to ten years and helped set up the Edible Garden project, will oversee the development of its vegetable patches with the aim of creating a sustainable supply of home-grown produce for Sodexo’s chefs to use in the John Hope Gateway Restaurant, Terrace Café and the staff canteen.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the project is also an educational initiative holding regular “grow your own” workshops to teach people the skills and knowledge they need to cultivate their own produce. The south-facing plot, which is nearly an acre in size, is home to an array of herbs and vegetables from staples like leeks and lettuce to horticulture favourites such as beetroot, Brussel sprouts and kale.

Boutique drinks business, Crucial Drinks, has enhanced its team with the addition of well-known whisky connoisseur, Ewan Henderson, in the newly created role of global brand ambassador for its portfolio. Henderson will focus initially on raising the profile of The Lost Distillery Company, as well as other luxury spirit brands included in Crucial’s portfolio, such as Six Saints Rum from Grenada and West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants single barrel and regional rums.

A whisky food pairing expert and ambassador of Scottish food and drink overseas, Henderson previously spent 15 years in the hospitality industry, setting up a restaurant, delicatessen and events company.

One of Scotland’s most experienced political insiders, Campbell Gunn, has joined independent communications consultancy 3x1 Group. After serving as senior special adviser to successive First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, Gunn becomes strategic adviser to the agency, which said he will bring his experience of Scottish Government and four decades as a journalist and commentator to provide senior advice on both public affairs and strategic communications.