Professor Donald MacRae OBE was born and educated in the Highlands. He retired from the post of Chief Economist, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland in November 2015, having spent 30 years with the organisation. He is a former Director of TSB Bank plc, Scottish Homes and Scottish Enterprise.

Donald was a member of the committee of inquiry on crofting, a member of the Rural Development Council and the Land Reform Review Group and is currently an independent member of the Skills Committee between the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; a Member of Court at the University of the Highlands and Islands; and a Member of the David Hume Institute.

He was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to Business and Rural Development.