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South Scotland Forestry Forum

Links to meeting minutes are on the right hand side of the page.

Forum Members 

Chair:  Sir Pat Hunter Blair (Maybole)

  • Landowner of mixed Estate in Ayrshire
  • Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Forestry (ICF), member of the Executive Committee and chairman of the ICF Professional Standards Committee
  • Former Director of Policy and Standards for the Forest Service of Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Board member of Scottish Natural Heritage
  • Director of Forward Scotland
  • Member of the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board.

John Todd (Galashiels)

  • 1986 to date: Senior partner of John Todd Associates, a consultancy focussing on economic development
  • 1982 - 87 Head of Tourism and Leisure, Scottish Development Agency
  • EU recognised expert in rural development and eco-tourism focussing on former Eastern Bloc
  • Speaks four languages, background in manpower planning
  • Former community councillor.

Ian Johnson (Prestwick)

  • Manager, Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan and Transportation Team
  • Chair, Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Partnership
  • Prepared Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Strategy.

Christopher Badenoch (Kelso)

  • Retired Operational Manager, Forth/Borders, Scottish Natural Heritage
  • Excellent ecological knowledge
  • Director, Tweed Forum
  •  Former member, South Scotland RAC
  • Member of the Conservation Strategy Committee of Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Ann Fraser (Jedburgh)

  • Farmer, holiday cottage business
  • Consultant to British Horse Society re: access trails
  • Director of Paths of All
  • Member, National Access Forum
  • Chair of Scottish Borders Council Access Forum.

Dr Joan Mitchell (Newton Stewart)

  • Director of Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway
  • Director of  Southern Upland Partnership
  • Former Dumfries and Galloway councillor for Cree
  • Farmer; Board member of Scottish Natural Heritage
  • PhD in upland ecology.

Dr Roddy Fairley (Moniaive)

  • Area manager, Strathclyde and Ayrshire, SNH
  • Director and chair of Reforesting Scotland
  • BSc, PhD in forestry/ecology related science
  • Professional and personal interest in environmental justice and social inclusion.

Martin Craig (Jedburgh)

  • District Manager, Tilhill, Eskdalemuir
  • Member, South Scotland, Regional Cluster Group
  • Chair, Eskdale deer management group
  • Member, steering groups reviewing FC grants and licences administration, and production of GIS standard for forestry.

Jamie Ribbens (Newton Stewart)

  • Senior Fisheries Biologist with Galloway Fisheries Trust
  • Member of the Fisheries Trusts of Scotland Executive Committee
  • Chair of the Scottish Fishery Trusts Biologists Forum, along with a number of other fishery and water groups throughout Scotland.

Donald McPhillimy (Melrose)

  • Forestry and Access Consultant
  • Environmental Projects Officer with New Caledonian Woodlands
  • Current member of National Forest Land Scheme Evaluation Panel
  • Former member of Perth and Argyll RFF; Native Woodland Advisory Panel; Forestry for People Panel.

Neil Cowan (Dalbeattie)

  • Commercial Manager – Howie Forest Products Ltd
  • Member of the E-Business Forum and Timber Transport Group.

Bobby McGhee (Prestwick)

  • Active Schools Manager, North Ayrshire Council Educational Services
  • Involved with Scottish Community Halls Forum; North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership
  • Prestwick Sailing Club Committee.