The Institute of Chartered Foresters was delighted to close 2025 by recognising two members with prestigious awards for their exceptional contributions to forestry and the advancement of the profession.
The Institute’s Medal, our highest award, was given to Paul Nolan OBE MICFor, Director of The Mersey Forest, for his outstanding contributions to forestry and community engagement. Since 1999, Paul has overseen the planting of ten million trees and the creation of 8,000 hectares of woodland across Cheshire and Merseyside. He has spearheaded the Trees for Climate programme, securing £12 million from the Nature for Climate Fund, and coordinated ten community forests nationally, influencing forestry policy and practice at the strategic level.
Paul’s commitment to community engagement is equally impressive, having delivered more than 500 projects involving more than 50,000 residents, and developing initiatives such as the Natural Health Service, which has linked 30,000 health referrals to the benefits of green spaces. His professional excellence and impact beyond the profession led to his OBE award for services to forestry in 2014.
On receiving the medal, Paul said:
“I have seen many people receive this medal over the years. They are all people whose books I have read or who are leading lights in the field, so to be included in such company is truly humbling. Any recognition of my work is built firmly on the hard work and support of amazing colleagues; it is very much a team effort that I am fortunate to lead.”
Also recognised was the Institute’s Finance Trustee, Stephen Campbell, who has been awarded The President’s Award. A geography graduate from Oxford University and a qualified Chartered Accountant, Stephen spent nearly 30 years in finance and governance before moving to the forestry sector and is now Forestry Investment Analyst at Tilhill Forestry.
Since joining the Institute as a Trustee in 2022, Stephen has strengthened the Institute’s financial framework through meticulous oversight and strategic leadership. He has guided the Institute through two reviews of the reserves policy, a highly complex VAT review, and led a comprehensive investment review, ensuring that the Institute’s financial strategy remains robust, ethical and aligned with long-term sustainability goals. Beyond finance, Stephen has mentored colleagues, championed governance, and reinforced the organisation’s foundations, leaving the Institute in a stronger and more resilient position.
Speaking on this award, Stephen said:
“It has been a great honour to serve on the Institute’s Council for the last four years and I was delighted to be presented with The President’s Award. The ICF Council is a great group of people, and the Institute is in a strong position to lead our sector forward.”
Institute President, Andrew Sowerby FICFor, presented Stephen with his award at the December 2025 meeting of Council. Paul will be presented with The Institute’s Medal at the National Conference 2026: Innovation for a Resilient Tomorrow in May 2026 at the International Convention Centre Wales.
