JAHAMA Highland Estates appoints Ruaridh Macdonald as Head of Estate Management & Development

JAHAMA Highland Estates, a multi-enterprise rural business owned by GFG Alliance extending over 114,000 acres in the Scottish Highlands, has appointed Ruaridh Macdonald as Head of Estate Management & Development.

In his new role, Ruaridh will provide strategic leadership and direction to JAHAMA’s estate management team and work in close partnership with GFG Alliance’s ALVANCE aluminium and SIMEC energy businesses. Based in Fort William, he will oversee development projects, optimise assets, and foster strong community and environmental stakeholder relationships with the estate holdings as a key component of GFG Alliance’s UK-wide net-zero industrial and energy strategy.

Among Ruaridh’s priorities will be to lead the estate’s strategy of collaboration with partners to develop renewable energy opportunities including hydro, wind and carbon capture; he will drive efforts to counter the acute lack of local housing; he will expand the estate’s commercial role as a major UK centre for recreation and he will build on existing work in reducing carbon emissions through peatland restoration and reforestation.

Ruaridh previously served as CEO at Macdonald Hotels, the UK's largest privately-owned hotel group where he developed and managed 34 hotels and 10 resorts across multiple countries.  He also has significant experience working with the debt and capital markets. 

Ruaridh Macdonald said: “JAHAMA is a truly unique business committed to sustainable development of an iconic landscape for the benefit of local communities, the environment, and the wider economy. At a time when sustainable land use has never been more important, I’m excited by the opportunities that innovative land management can generate by creating a resilient environment in which communities can thrive.”

Jeffrey Kabel, GFG Alliance’s Chief Transformation Officer said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ruaridh’s strategic thinking and commercial experience to the JAHAMA Highland estate team. His leadership will be invaluable as the estate develops renewable energy supply to power GFG Alliance’s low carbon manufacturing, promotes the region as a recreational hub, provides much-needed local housing and drives decarbonisation through expert land management.”