The Institute’s Professional and Educational Standards Committee has approved the promotion of four new Fellows.
David Hay FICFor – Woodland Officer (Moray) & STEM Ambassador, Scottish Forestry
David has been a member of the Institute for 23 years and was shortlisted for the Professional Forester of the Year award in 2023 for his service, commitment and mentorship throughout his career. He is a STEM ambassador and is passionate about mentoring students, new recruits and existing employees within Scottish Forestry and Forestry & Land Scotland.
David said:
“I’m genuinely thrilled and very honoured to become a Fellow of the Institute simply for contributing to a profession and industry that I am so passionate about.
It’s such a privilege to have had this career which has built on the significant legacy of the foresters that have gone before me, as well as those I currently work with to create truly integrated and diverse landscapes.
Moray is arguably the most afforested county within the UK with 34% forest cover, with a third of this managed under continuous cover approaches. Multi-purpose and adaptable woodlands have underpinned the ethos I have consistently advocated throughout my career, and I’m pleased to see others continuing to progress this.
This Fellowship is something I am very proud of and to be recognised by my peers in this way is truly special.”
Martin Osman FICFor – Consultancy Director, Chevron Green Consultancy
Martin has been member of the Institute for 14 years and an Assessor for the Professional Membership Entry (PME) process for the last five years. He founded Camps Environmental Services that was purchased in 2021 as part of the UK Chevron Group of companies, providing arboricultural and environmental consultancy advice. Martin was also a key figure in the development of the Institute’s new Technical membership category.
Martin said:
“I feel immensely proud to have been promoted to a Fellow of the institute, this truly is a life highlight for me both personally and professionally. Since joining the Institute and subsequently achieving Professional membership in 2014, the standards prescribed thought the ICF Code of Conduct have been the basis of my career helping me get on to the path for success and raising my professional standing within our industry and when other trades. Alongside the personal pride and professional benefits, I am hoping this promotion would be inspiring to colleagues who know and work with me to continue their own journeys and achieve their goals.”
Richard Paton FICFor – Partnerships & Expertise Manager, Forestry Commission
Richard joined the Institute in 2007 and is a well-respected leader in the Forestry Commission. He has been a PME Assessor since 2015 and is dedicated to supporting colleagues through the chartered status application process. To further this, he founded a PME Support Group in South West England, hosting workshops and sessions to support applicants. Richard is also a judge for woodland competitions at the Devon Show and the Royal Cornwall Show.
Richard said:
“I am very proud to become a Fellow of the Institute. During my career I have focussed on supporting the development of others and I now hope I am in a better position to continue that work and further promote the benefits of Professional membership both to the individual’s career and the sector.”
Mike Tustin FICFor – Director & Forestry Investment Specialist, Tustins Group Ltd
Mike has been a member of the Institute for 26 years. After leaving his senior leadership role at John Clegg & Co in 2019, he set up the woodland agency and forestry consultancy business, Tustins, where he specialises in woodland asset optimisation and sales, investment and market analysis. Mike is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Mike said:
“I am honoured to have been encouraged to apply for promotion to Fellow and subsequently accepted as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Age, knowledge and experience gradually creeps up on all of us and it is with this encouragement that I have realised that I have a responsibility to help future Institute members create the forestry industry we all wish to be part of. There are many other members who are equally experienced who I would also strongly urge to put themselves forward.”
