We are proud to recognise five outstanding professionals as recipients of The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence 2025.
Named in honour of Professor Hugh Miller OBE FRSE FICFor (1939–2019), the award celebrates exceptional ability demonstrated through the Professional Membership Entry (PME) process. Professor Miller taught forestry at the University of Aberdeen between 1984 and 2004, served as President of the Institute from 1994 to 1996, and was a former Chair of the Institute’s Examinations Board. He is widely credited with designing the PME framework that continues to underpin professional assessment today.
Each year, the Hugh Miller Award for Excellence is presented to PME applicants who, in the judgement of assessors, demonstrate exceptional professional competence, reflection, and commitment to the highest standards of forestry practice.
2025 recipients
Emma Barnes MICFor – Forestry Commission
“Having worked as a forester for over 20 years, attaining professional membership feels like an important moment in my career. I am delighted to receive the Hugh Miller Award for Excellence after completing the PME process, which provided a valuable reflection on both the highlights and challenges of my work. I am deeply grateful for the varied opportunities the forestry sector has given me.
My career has spanned roles in the private sector, as a company director, and now within the Forestry Commission. My proudest moments remain the trees I’ve put in the ground and the woodlands brought into active management. I would encourage others to pursue PME sooner rather than later.”
Sallie Corfield MICFor – Forestry Commission
“I started my career in forestry as a career change in my thirties and have since worked in various roles from ranger to my current position in landscape partnerships for the Forestry Commission. Applying for professional membership was something I had considered for years but never felt confident enough to pursue – until I finally took the plunge last year.
The PME process is undeniably challenging, but it forces you to pause, look back, and recognise the experience, skills, and knowledge you’ve built up – often more than you realised. That reflection alone is incredibly valuable. Achieving PME and receiving professional validation from the ICF is a wonderful feeling, and being awarded the Hugh Miller Award for Excellence was an unexpected honour. I would encourage anyone considering PME to go for it; the support is there, and the personal and professional benefits are significant.”
Ryan Gledhill MICFor – Lanpro
“It is an honour not only to become a Chartered member of the Institute, but also to receive this award, which is both a great privilege and the highlight of my professional career. Since training at Askham Bryan and joining a local tree contractor as a ground worker in 2008, I could never have imagined the journey this career would take me on. I have worked with many fantastic people over the years, with particular thanks to Mark Watson for his mentorship and Dan H, Howard B, and Joe L for their support and advice. I look forward to mentoring others to help further their careers in the future.”
John Rose MICFor – Treeconomics
“I joined the Institute as a Student member while studying Urban Forestry at Myerscough, following a career move into the sector. Today, as a consultant with Treeconomics, my work focuses on supporting local authorities in decision-making around the long-term management of large urban tree populations. This regularly involves navigating conflicting perspectives and incomplete information, where sound judgement and trust are critical.
The ‘Act with integrity’ principle that underpins Chartered Forester is central to establishing that trust, enabling more constructive engagement, better decisions, and effective change on the ground. Receiving the Hugh Miller Award for Excellence is particularly meaningful, as recognition that my professional ethos is well grounded.”
Dr Robrecht Schmitz MICFor CEnv – Sibelco
“I’m proud to have been promoted to a Professional Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and am honoured to have received the Hugh Miller Award for Excellence.
I would like to thank my former teachers, especially my father who introduced me to trees, tree biology, forestry, tree – soil interaction and geology and introduced me to the forests of Europe and North America back in the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, I would like to thank my Professional Membership Entry sponsors and the ICF staff for their assistance throughout the process.”
