SLE expands policy team with two new appointments

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has strengthened its policy team with two new appointments.

Sarah Madden is welcomed back to the organisation as a policy adviser (rural communities) having previously held  a similar role with SLE from 2022 to 2024, while Charlotte McAulay joins as a policy assistant.

Stephen Young, director of policy for SLE, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah back to the team. Having spent over two years working with us she knows many of our members well and has an excellent understanding of the challenges facing rural businesses in Scotland. Equally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Charlotte and look forward to working with her as we support members across a range of policy issues.”

Sarah joins from the Good Practice team in the Scottish Land Commission, where she provided landowners and communities with direct advice and support on engagement and relationships. Before that Sarah worked in forestry, land use policy and advocacy with the Woodland Trust Scotland. She has previously  worked as an adviser to parliamentarians in the UK and Scottish Government.

Sarah Madden said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to SLE and rejoining the policy team. I’m looking forward to bringing recent experience in land use policy and community engagement to help rural business and local communities benefit from enhanced engagement and relationships, as well as finding pragmatic solutions to policy challenges affecting rural businesses and areas.”

Charlotte McAulay hails from East Lothian and has a strong connection to rural Scotland, with family in Perthshire and Assynt. Charlotte graduated from the University of Exeter in 2025 with a law degree. During her studies, she developed a particular interest in environmental and rural policy issues, with final-year projects focusing on biodiversity conservation within environmental law and the reform of UK firearms legislation. 

As policy assistant, Charlotte will support SLE’s policy team manage member queries, and work closely with the Public Affairs team.

Charlotte McAulay said: “Scottish Land & Estates has an outstanding track record of advocacy for rural businesses. I look forward to joining the team and helping our members navigate the rapidly changing policy landscape.”