The Forestry Commission has appointed new Directors for England, Scotland and Wales.

The Directors will assume responsibility for all the Forestry Commission's activities in the relevant country, in particular policy making, grant-aiding, regulation and the management of the public forest estate.

The move follows the outcome of a wide-ranging interdepartmental review of the administrative arrangements for developing sustainable forestry policies post-devolution. The aim of the changes is to achieve greater integration of forestry with other rural policy work in England, Scotland and Wales whilst retaining desirable opportunities for a collaborative approach to common issues. The appointments are:

Scotland: Dr Bob McIntosh

Dr McIntosh joined the Forestry Commission in 1973 as a trainee District Officer and after 18 months in the Thetford District, spent 3 years as Assistant District Officer in the West Galloway District, based in Newton Stewart. This was followed by a six year spell in Forest Research, based in the Silviculture (North) branch at the Commission's Northern Research Station and with responsibility for work in nutritional problems and fertiliser use. On leaving Research, he spent a year as Forest District Manager (FDM) in the Rothbury District before transferring to Kielder Forest District, initially as Harvesting Officer, then as FDM. He moved to the Commission's headquarters after nine years at Kielder, to become Operations Director within FE and became Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise, and a Forestry Commissioner, in 1997. His interests include rural land use policy/issues, fishing, shooting, rugby, and cricket.

England: Paul Hill-Tout

Mr Hill-Tout joined the Forestry Commission at Northampton in 1980 and held eleven subsequent posts in Hampshire, Kielder, Dumfries and in the Commission's headquarters. He became the Commission's Chief Conservator for England in 2000. His major professional interests are in planning at the corporate and woodland level. Paul is married with six children and enjoys gardening, hiking and camping.

Wales: Simon Hewitt

Mr Hewitt joined the Forestry Commission as a land agent in the New Forest in 1976 following periods working for the Ministry of Agriculture and in the private sector. He has since held posts in Thetford, Edinburgh, Bristol and Aberystwyth. He is married with three children, two of whom have now flown the nest, and enjoys walking and outdoor pursuits. He was appointed Chief Conservator, Forestry Commission Wales in 1996 and was closely involved in the process of change resulting from devolution and the creation of the National Assembly, which is responsible for the Commission’s activities in Wales.

The new Directors will take up their posts on April 1.

Notes to Editors

1. The Commission is Britain's largest land manager.

2. Details of the Forestry Devolution review can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/fdr