Meet our Team
Chief Executive Officer – Dr Alan Wells
Alan has been the Chief Executive of Fisheries Management Scotland since it was formed in 2017, having previously worked as Policy and Planning Director at the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards.
Alan holds a BSc in Marine and Environmental Biology and a PhD in Marine Physiology from the University of St Andrews. He then worked as a post-doctoral research fellow investigating the interactions between wild and farmed salmonids in Scotland, Ireland and Norway. Following a short spell at SEPA, Alan worked for Scottish Environment LINK, where he campaigned for protection of the marine environment in Scotland. He joined the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards in 2011.
Alan has extensive experience of working with government and agencies at local and national level and was seconded to the Scottish Government for 18 months during the wild fisheries reform process. A key priority for Fisheries Management Scotland is working with the Scottish Government and relevant agencies to press the case for protection and enhancement of Scotland’s native fish, and the habitats on which they depend.
Director of Operations – Brian Davidson
Brian has been the Director of Communications & Administration of Fisheries Management Scotland since it was formed in 2017, having previously held several roles at the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and Rivers & Fisheries Trusts Scotland.
Brian has over 30 years’ experience working in freshwater fisheries policy and management. Prior to joining the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, he held several fisheries policy positions with the then Department of Agriculture & Fisheries for Scotland, Scottish Office Agriculture & Fisheries Department and Scottish Executive. He joined the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards in 1999.
Brian’s experience includes working with government and agencies, organisational, project and stakeholder management and helps to co-ordinate the delivery of a number of priorities for Fisheries Management Scotland. These include internal and external communications, salmon and freshwater fisheries enforcement initiatives and raising awareness of issues affecting fish and fisheries. Outside work, Brian is a keen trout and salmon angler, helps manage a fishing beat on the River Tweed and volunteers with a local angling association.
Nature Finance Manager – Federica Foiadelli
Federica joined Fisheries Management Scotland in 2025. With a background in economic policy and impact investment, combined with a keen interest in the natural environment, she brings enthusiasm for nature finance and emerging nature markets. In her role, Federica works towards the establishment of the Scottish Rivers Fund and the identification of wider nature finance opportunities for Fisheries Management Scotland’s membership.
Prior to joining Fisheries Management Scotland, Federica worked as an Economist and Policy Adviser with some international organisations and NGOs, collaborating with the private sector, governments, and civil society organisations to drive positive economic, social, and environmental impact. She previously worked at the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), where she designed and managed impact investment and technical assistance projects in the agri-food sector. Federica holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration – Economic and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Finance & Administration Manager – Jenny McNeill
Jenny joined us in 2023, having completed her HND in Business. She brings strong knowledge of core business functions including finance, law and communications, alongside over 15 years’ experience in customer-focused roles.
As Finance & Administration Manager, Jenny supports key finance functions, leads on project financial management, and oversees administrative operations across the organisation.
Outside of work, Jenny is an advocate for citizen science and supports humpback whale monitoring projects in Scotland, contributing to survey work, data recording and photographic identification to raise awareness of cetaceans in the Forth estuary.
Manager, SFCC – Graeme Cullen
Wild Salmon Conservation Manager – Julia McCarthy
Julia joined Fisheries Management Scotland in 2026. With a background in freshwater ecology, she is passionate about all things rivers and is excited about working towards creative solutions that create real change. In this role, she works with members, public bodies, policy makers and others to raise awareness of the needs of wild Atlantic salmon and to support the delivery of key strategies and initiatives to protect and restore the aquatic environment.
Julia has a BSc in Natural Sciences (Biology) from University of Wisconsin – Madison and a MSc in Ecology from Colorado State University. Prior to joining FMS, she worked within government for over a decade as an environmental scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and more recently ran her own independent consultancy and worked as a research associate at SRUC and University of Edinburgh. Her work has focused on improving environmental program governance, implementation and policy and advancing high-integrity, science-based approaches to support better ecological outcomes.