I graduated from Bangor in 1981 with a forestry degree and worked for the GB Forestry Commission for thirty years before returning to Bangor to do a PhD on forestry policy.

I've managed public forests and worked with policy makers and politicians on forestry policy.

Room G6 Thoday Building

Bangor University

Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales

Mobile 07866 49 47 42

• PhD: Forestry policy: hindsight, forethought and foresight. Bangor University.
  2016
• Professional: Member of Institute of Chartered Foresters
  1992
• BSc: BSc Forestry, University of Wales
  1981

I teach a masters module on forestry policy and history, and management planning to both undergraduates and postgraduates.

I supervise dissertations at undergraduate and masters levels.

CAREER HISTORY

 2005-2008     UK Government  - 'Whitehall' – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (Defra) 

• International deforestation and carbon sequestration issues. Ministerial briefings, and role in managing workstreams. (2007-2008.)
• Briefing and advice to ministers on international illegal logging negotiations. In particular developing more assertive UK position on legal measures. (2006-2007.)
• Defra forestry policy unit, stakeholder consultation and supporting development of England Forestry Strategy 2007, particularly industry and agricultural interactions.
• Represented Defra on industry liaison body overseeing economic analysis of forestry industry.

2003-2005     Forestry Commission England - Common Agricultural Policy 

• Formulated responses to 2003 reforms, especially testing European policy on agro-forestry and regeneration. Developed integrated approach to definitions of good agricultural and environmental condition to deliver increased woodland cover at zero public cost.
• Managed contract for review of Deer Initiative.
• Managed research contract for review of economic value of timber production by Countryside and Community Research Unit, University of Gloucestershire.

Nov 2002-May 2003           Special Adviser to Welsh Government Ministers

Advising Deputy First Minister and Minster for Rural Development, and Minister for Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language.

• Supporting Ministers in Cabinet, and Sustainable Development and Rural Regeneration Sub-Committees.
• Liaison with Assembly Members and Senior Civil Servants.
• Worked with Senior Assembly officials and Forestry Commission staff to develop new policy approaches to greater species diversity, and use of continuous cover systems.
• Supported Minister in meetings of UK Agriculture and Forestry Ministers.
• Contributed to policy on CAP reform and GM crops.
• Liaison with interest groups and influencers in Welsh context.
• Speech writing, media and presentation.

1998-2002                 Executive Director and Company Secretary - Tir Coed

• Established, and recruited and managed staff, and developed corporate governance for a new organisation.
• Championed, and won funds, for exemplar sustainable woodland projects including Cydcoed and Pontbren.
• Established Objective One Cydcoed community forestry project - Developed ethos and mission, delivering more than £3million in grants to community groups.
• Pioneered community engagement methods such as participatory rural appraisal.

1992-1998                 Forestry Commission Forest District Manager in Wales

• Implementing innovative forest design planning, and pioneering low cost close to nature silvicultural systems.
• Partnership management of Hafod historic landscape.
• Managed over 20 staff and 26,000Ha of forest, budget of £5 million, with a harvesting programme of 100,000 m3.
• Developing approaches to low cost ancient woodland restoration.

1986-1992                 Work Study Team Leader, Wales 

Evaluation of mechanical harvesters. Nursery and plant handling practices. Time study of harvesting operations.

1984-1986                 Forest Management - Scottish Borders 

Afforestation of moorland and deep peats. Management of recreational facilities.

1981-1984                 Assistant District Officer – Shropshire

 Management of plant health crisis (Dendroctonus micans).

1977-1978                 Forest Worker, Clocaenog Forest, Denbighshire

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OTHER PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY ACTIVITIES

• Member of ICF Council 2008-2010.
• Technical coordinator of ICF national conference on Governance and Forestry in 2007.
• Lay member of Ethical Review Committee, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, 2002-2010. (From 2008 Aberystwyth University ERC.)
• I provided oral evidence in 2017 to National Assembly for Wales, Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee

  Branching out: a new ambition for woodland policies .

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CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY GROUP

- Great Britain part of Pro Silva

Committee member and Wales committee chair.

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PUBLIC LIFE

• Mayor of Aberystwyth 2001-2002.
• Candidate for UK parliament 2001.
• Candidate for European Parliament 2014.