Hamish MacLeod appointed Forestry Commissioner

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of Hamish Macleod as a Forestry Commissioner for Scotland.

Mr Macleod, from Dumfries in southern Scotland, has more than 30 thirty years' experience in the timber-processing industry, and is joint managing director of a sawmilling company, Howie Forest Products Ltd. He holds or has held a number of relevant representational posts, and is currently a member of the Processors' Council of the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor), and Scottish Enterprise's Southern Scotland Regional Advisory Board.

He has been appointed for an initial term of three years from April 2009, and will also serve on the Forestry Commission's National Committee for Scotland. He replaces Martin Gale CBE, whose term of office has expired.

Welcoming Mr Macleod's appointment, Lord David Clark of Windermere, chairman of the Commissioners, said,

"I'm very pleased that Hamish Macleod is joining the Board of Forestry Commissioners. I am confident that his long experience and deep knowledge of the forestry and timber industries will prove invaluable to us in guiding the work of the Forestry Commission through the challenging times we face."

Meanwhile, Dr Olutayo Adebowale, a Forestry Commissioner for England, has been reappointed for a second three-year term of office.

For further information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/commissioners.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. The Forestry Commission works to improve the lives of people in Britain through the many benefits provided by sustainably managed woods and forests, including sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. It does this by supporting woodland managers with grants, tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers in the UK Government, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government on forestry policy. It manages more than 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of public forest land owned or leased by Ministers to provide the above benefits, and through its Forest Research agency, it conducts scientific research and technical development relevant to forestry.
2. The Board of 11 Forestry Commissioners oversees the work of the Forestry Commission on behalf of Ministers. The Commission's National Committees for England, Scotland and Wales carry out some of the functions of the Commissioners at country level.

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