James McLeod

A chartered Civil Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, James has over thirty years’ experience in local authority in Southwest Scotland where responsibility for flood risk management was a large part of his role for 15 years. 

Since January 2025, James has worked for Transport Scotland on the A9 Dualling Programme Delivery, with responsibility for delivering 5 sections of dualling upgrade between Perth and Inverness but still retains a role in flooding through being a trustee of the Scottish Flood Forum.

Prior to starting with Transport Scotland, James had worked for 30 years in local authority in Dumfries and Galloway and during this time James held various roles, most recently being responsible for the Council’s Waste Service (becoming a chartered waste manager in 2024), the Harbours Service and the Flood Risk Management Team.  At the start of his career following graduation from Napier University, James worked in Design and Construction supervision delivering projects for wastewater, roads, bridges, harbours and flood protection for 15 years prior to moving into the Client function. 

While employed with Dumfries and Galloway Council, James also undertook the role of Functional Team Manager for the Operations Team within the Council’s Emergency Planning Service’s Major Emergency Scheme.  Between 2012 and 2025, James was involved in many responses to flooding (and other emergencies) that required a multi-agency response, engaging closely with SEPA and Met Office on flood forecasting and managing the consequential impacts.  This role was built upon experience of flooding and flood risk management including:

• Designing and supervising the construction of a flood protection scheme for the village of Portpatrick.
• Client lead on Whitesands Project (Flood Protection and Public Realm Improvements) and the Newton Stewart Flood Protection Scheme.
• Led on development of Subsidised PFR scheme for Dumfries and Galloway Council supporting at risk properties.
• Delivered on Flood Pod and Flood Trailer used by Council to support at risk communities.
• Representative on SAIFF Local Authority Implementation Group writing guidance for the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.
• Representative for Dumfries and Galloway Council as Lead Local Authority for Solway LPD on Lead Local Authority Forum.
• Main author on the Dumfries and Galloway Council published Solway LPD Local Flood Risk Management Plan – Cycle 1.
• Local Authority representative on the Scottish Government and NatureScot’s Coastal Change Adaptation Budget
• Group.Presented on a number of occasions at the Scottish Flooding Conference and was on the organising committee for 3 years.