Stella Morse, Chair

With a background in luxury whisky and food and drink in a variety of senior roles, I joined the Board in June 2023. My current roles include Chair of a whisky business and Independent Non-Executive Director of a major maltings business. I am also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a current member of the Strategy Board of ICAEW in Scotland, having originally trained with PwC in London.

Throughout my career, I have always been part of a team innovating and growing international brands. My previous roles include Non-Executive Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, former Finance Director of the UK’s biggest drinks company Heineken UK and former Corporate Development Director of the Edrington Group, the premium international spirits company and owner of The Macallan.

More recently, I have become increasingly aware of the need to combine innovation and brand strength with sustainability. I was appointed as a Trustee of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland’s global centre for plant science, horticulture and education, in March 2023, and I am really excited to be part of the Scottish Leather Group team and our goal to produce truly sustainable leather for some of the world’s best-known brands.

Nicholas Muirhead, CEO

I am the eighth generation of the Muirhead family to join the leather industry, and have been with Scottish Leather Group since joining as a Project Engineer in 2007. I have experience in every stage of leather manufacturing, having held numerous roles throughout the Group, including the position of Managing Director in three of the subsidiary businesses.

With expertise and knowledge of hide procurement, tanning, finishing and cutting, I have harnessed this experience to identify new opportunities and develop new sustainable and profitable goals in line with our strategic objectives.

I am also Chairman of the Leather Producers Association and sit on the board of Leather UK.

Michael Carnachan, COO

Since joining Scottish Leather Group in January 1991, I have enjoyed a diverse career within the Group. Throughout the years, I have assumed various positions that have provided me with invaluable expertise in technical aspects, leather manufacturing, continuous improvement, quality control, environmental practices, and commercial operations.

It has been a fulfilling journey, and I now have the honour of leading a remarkable Operations team. Their passion, energy, and creativity are truly inspiring. Together, we strive to produce the world's most sustainable leather, serving renowned global brands. Being part of this remarkable endeavour fills me with immense pride and satisfaction.

Michelle McDonald, CFO

I joined Scottish Leather Group in April 2022 as Group Finance Director. As a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than two decades operating within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector, I bring a wealth of experience to the core of our leadership team. I enjoy shaping and steering the financial success of organisations with a profound commitment to excellence.

My passion lies in manufacturing, and my career has encompassed a range of senior roles in the drinks industry with Diageo Plc and AG Barr Plc. Throughout my career, I have built a strong skillset in governance, transactional excellence, performance management, business partnering, and project management.

I am proud to be a part of this exceptional company's leadership team and aim to continue to enhance our financial stewardship on the exciting journey ahead.

James Muirhead, CCO

I joined Scottish Leather Group in September 2006, working at all stages of the leather manufacturing process across our subsidiary companies while obtaining a leather manufacturing qualification from Northampton University. I progressed into the Automotive Quality team, where I played a key role in supporting the global supply chain. From there, I transitioned into the Sales department, which focused on sustainable growth within the automotive sector.

I now have the honour of leading the Group's Commercial team, covering all aspects of our business relating to Sales, Account Management, Marketing and Design. As an eighth generation Muirhead family member within the business, it is not lost on me the immense honour it is to be a part of this senior leadership team.

Ronnie Brown, Company Secretary

I have been the Company Secretary for Scottish Leather Group Limited since June 2009.

I combined this role with that of a corporate partner in a large Scottish law firm until I retired from the latter in June 2024. This has allowed me to give the Group the benefit of my experience gained in acting for other clients over 40 years. These have ranged from family-owned businesses to listed PLCs, so they have had many and varied issues to address. 

I thoroughly enjoy my role with the Group. Its ability to deal with commercial challenges and to maintain a principled, positive approach to its business has always impressed me.

Pamela Scott, Non-Executive Director

I joined Scottish Leather Group in autumn 2021 as a Non-Executive Director. I thoroughly enjoy working with the team and am hugely impressed with our customer base and the craft that goes into making our beautiful leather. My background is in the drinks industry where I worked with Diageo for 29 years, mainly in Operations and Technical.

My most memorable roles were working with the markets developing new brands, leading the Johnnie Walker packaging plant in Ayrshire, heading up the technical division for global beer in Guinness, Dublin, leading the Human Resource function for Europe Supply as well as heading up Global Strategy and Standards.

Since leaving Diageo, I have written a self-development book and set up my own consultancy business, Pax & Iris. I am also a Non-Executive Director for a timber and engineering business and a Scotland-wide environmental improvement company. I have had a fantastic career over the years and have learned a lot. I want to share the knowledge I have in support of my local community; therefore, I Chair the Board of Directors of a housing association and also Chair a football community charity, both based in Edinburgh. I spend some of my time in Skye and have recently started a tablet making business too!

James Lang, Non-Executive Director

I joined Scottish Leather Group in 1978 and am the sixth generation of the Lang family to join the leather industry. I have held a number of posts across the Group, including Managing Director of Andrew Muirhead & Son Ltd, where I led the team that developed the company’s aviation sales to become the largest leather supplier to that sector. I was appointed a Group Director in 2003.

As a Non-Executive Director since 2020, I represent the Group on a number of external trade organisations. I am the chair of Leather UK, Leather Naturally, and serve as a member of Court at the Leathersellers’ Company in London. Away from the industry, I chair Paisley Museum Reimagined Ltd, and local charity P3 – Providing for People in Paisley.