Confor has announced the shortlisted candidates for the Confor Dinner and Awards 2025.
These awards champion the efforts of inspirational individuals and organisations going above and beyond. Nominees were put forward by colleagues and peers wishing to recognise and celebrate the people and businesses making strides to improve and elevate the forestry and wood-using industry.
Confor and partners celebrate achievements in four categories: The Building Industry Resilience Award, The Changing Attitudes Award, The Future Leader Award, and The Net Zero Award.
Winners will be announced at the Confor Dinner and Awards on 19 February 2025. The event is being held at Surgeons Quarter, Edinburgh, and is set to host industry leaders from across the UK alongside policymakers and friends of the sector.
Stuart Goodall, Confor Chief Executive, said:
“Congratulations to everyone who has been selected for the 2025 Confor Awards shortlist. I continue to be impressed by the high calibre of nominations that come in every year and applaud the achievements being recognised.
“Our industry needs strong leaders, talented communicators, and those committed to delivering economic and environmental goals. For the first time, we have introduced a Building Industry Resilience Award this year, highlighting the need for everyone in forestry and wood processing to be thinking about tomorrow. Without a skilled workforce or political support, the industry will not be empowered to get trees in the ground, harvest sustainable, homegrown timber, and invest in the rural economy. Confor is proud to promote the voices driving those goals forward.
“I look forward to meeting all the shortlisted nominees at our awards dinner later this month and celebrating their achievements. And my thanks go to our sponsors who make it possible for Confor to host this event and ensure it is the highlight of the year.”
In addition to the four category awards, the Institute’s Professional Forester of the Year and the winner of the Confor Dedicated Service to Forestry Award will also be presented at the dinner. The latter title is bestowed on a Confor Member who has made an outstanding positive contribution to the forestry industry over the course of their career.
On the shortlist
The Building Industry Resilience Award – Sponsored by Forestry Commission & Forestry and Land Scotland
Presented to an individual, business or organisation taking action to futureproof the forestry and wood sector through impactful research, innovative technology development, or skills-building initiatives.
- Byron Braithwaite MICFor, Scottish Woodlands Ltd
- Institute of Chartered Foresters’ Emerging Leader Programme
- Maelor Forest Nurseries
- Toby Parkes, Rhizocore Technologies
The Changing Attitudes Award – Sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd
Presented to an individual, business or organisation promoting the forestry and wood sector in a positive, impactful way – through personal engagement, campaigning or communication, social media, or other ways.
- Paul Brannen, CEI-Bois & EOS
- Tom Coates MICFor, James Jones & Sons Ltd
- The Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme
The Future Leader Award – Sponsored by James Jones & Sons Ltd (The Tom A Bruce-Jones Memorial Award for Future Leader in the Forest Industry)
Presented to an individual, business or organisation delivering successful innovation and/or research which has clearly demonstrated greater productivity or efficiency in the forestry and wood industry.
- Julia Henriksson, Scottish Woodlands Ltd
- Bryony Hewetson Ward, Forestry and Land Scotland
- Robbie Macdonald, Scotwood Macdonald Ltd
- Cora Pfarre MICFor, Maydencroft Ltd
The Net Zero Award – Sponsored by CarbonStore
Presented to an individual, business or organisation making a specific and measurable contribution to the forestry and wood industry’s efforts to deliver the UK’s net zero ambitions.
- Matt Brocklehurst MICFor, Forwoods Forestry & WoodlandConsultancy Ltd
- Yvonne Edwards, University of Edinburgh
- NexGen Tree Shelters Ltd
- The Pallet LOOP
Professional Forester of the Year 2025
This award recognises the contributions of Institute of Chartered Foresters members on a community, regional, national, or international level to advance forestry. It may be related to one specific project or a range of activities within the last three years.
- Mark Child MICFor, Great Northumberland Forest
- Kath McNulty MICFor, Natural Resources Wales
- Peter Wharton MICFor, Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants
