Forestry Commission Director General awarded CBE

The Director General of the Forestry Commission, Tim Rollinson, was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2012.

Tim has been with the Forestry Commission since 1976 after completing a degree in Ecological Science at Edinburgh University.

He has spent his recent career developing a sustainable approach to the management of forests in the UK and worldwide, and sharing Britain’s hard-won experience in large scale reforestation to benefit other countries. He helped found, and now chairs, the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration (GPFLR). He is currently at the Rio +20 Earth Summit in his capacity as Chair of GPFLR, sharing a platform with world leaders.

Pam Warhurst, Forestry Commission Chair, said:

“I am thrilled that Tim has been recognised for his considerable contribution to both forestry world wide and to the Forestry Commission of Great Britain over several decades.”

Tim’s current focus is on the role of forests in climate change with a particular emphasis on restoring the world’s forest cover, and the role of forests in improving our quality of life, especially in towns and cities.

Ends

Notes to Editor

1. For a photograph of Tim Rollinson, contact the Press Office.
   
   
2. The Forestry Commission’s mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.
   
   We take the lead, on behalf of all three administrations, developing and promoting sustainable forest management. We deliver the distinct forestry policies of England, Scotland and Wales through specific objectives drawn from the country forestry strategies so our mission and values may be different in each.
   
   
3. Biography - Tim is Director General and Deputy Chair of the Forestry Commission. He joined the Forestry Commission in 1976 after completing a degree in Ecological Science at Edinburgh University.
   
   Tim worked as a forest manager in the south of England before moving to work in forestry research.  He worked in a variety of policy roles including land use planning in the late 1980s at the height of the ‘Flow Country’ dispute when large scale commercial forestry programmes were in conflict with nature conservation interests.  He has spent his subsequent career developing a sustainable approach to the management of forests in the UK and worldwide.
   
   He has represented the UK government at United Nations and international meetings.  He is a Patron of Tree Aid, and a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
   
   Tim is passionate about sharing Britain’s hard won experience in large scale reforestation to benefit other countries and he helped found, and now chairs, the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration. The focus of his current work is on the role of forests in climate change with a particular emphasis on restoring the world’s forest cover, and the role of forests in improving our quality of life, especially in towns and cities.
   
   He is a past President of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, a Chartered Environmentalist, a Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.
   
   
4. The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012 was published on 16 June, recognising outstanding service and achievement across the UK.
   
   
5. Media Contact: Stuart Burgess, 0117 372 1073, stuart.burgess@forestry.gov.uk