The Institute’s Professional and Educational Standards Committee has approved the promotion of four new Fellows.
Sam Brown FICFor – Senior Forest Operations Officer, Natural Resources Wales
Sam joined the Institute over 13 years ago and oversees the planning and delivery of harvesting, thinning, restocking and establishment in the mid Northeast area to meet NRW’s forest and woodland objectives. His dedication and experience working in the forestry sector in Wales has boosted his career progression and professionalism, gaining chartered status in 2016.
Sam has supported the Institute as an Exam Assessor since 2023 and with the development of CPD events, notably the Early Career Professionals Study Tour in 2022. He is one of the Institute’s 2023 Emerging Leaders and is a Fellow of Clore Social Leadership.
Sam said:
“I was delighted to hear that I had been promoted to a Fellow of the Institute – in some ways I still can’t believe it is true! The Institute, my peers and colleagues have all guided me through my career and am grateful for the opportunities given to me outside my day-to-day role, and I aim to give something back to an industry and subject that is truly engaging. I hope that my promotion to Fellow will encourage others in their professional journey.”
Mike Ingoldby FICFor CEnv – Director, Bowland Bioenergy Ltd
Mike has been a member of the Institute for over 21 years. He started his career at the Forestry Commission as a Woodland Officer before founding his company, Bowland Bioenergy Ltd. Mike pioneered the use of biomass in North West England and has committed to its promotion for many years.
Mike is an Assessor for the Institute’s Professional Membership Entry process and also dedicated his time as a Mentor on the Emerging Leader Programme.
Mike said:
“The conferring of the honour of Fellowship is a matter of intense satisfaction that one’s professional competence has been endorsed by one’s peers.
What to do next is the question, a) to sit around feeling smug or b) take the initiative in promoting professional forestry standards and practices.
Many single objective organisations from the light greens who are largely ill informed to the dark greens with their (often) malicious intent, offer criticism without having to take responsibility for providing any solutions.
Foresters who have authority do take responsibility for their actions, marking the crucial difference between the protagonists. While all Institute members should be combatting such sabotage, it is the Fellows with their assumed greater breadth of knowledge and experience who should be leading the way.
Forest management, as it has become more mainstream, has attracted much more attention over recent years. To promote good practice, the belief must be established in the minds of the public that professional foresters understand what is required of them for the benefit of the forest and the public.
Politicians working to a five-year plan, do not appreciate the ramifications of such as proposals to create 30,000 ha per year of new planting or halving a major programme. Civil Servants are frequently replaced after only a few years, which means the new people require briefing on the realities of the forest world.
Foresters who fully understand the effects of forest policy changes should be able to inform administrators of the time frame of forest operations and the unintended consequences of such policy decisions.
Members of the Institute are regarded as of good standing by professionals of other disciplines. One would hope that Fellows add a little gravitas and therefore increase the credibility of the Institute,
Future activity by members should be twofold, encourage colleagues to apply for Fellowship and take every opportunity to publicise the Institute when promoting good forest management.”
Paul Orsi FICFor – Director, Sylva Foundation
Paul has over 27 years of experience in the sector and has been a member of the Institute for over 17 years. Since 2013, Paul has led the Sylva Foundation’s Forest and Land Programme as a Director having supported and led a transformation of the organisation, particularly the development its flagship myForest platform that is used to support over 9% of Britain’s privately owned woodlands.
Paul been a member of the Professional and Educational Standards Committee for the last six years and sits on the Forestry Commission’s East of England Forestry and Woodland Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Paul said:
“Being promoted as a Fellow is a big thing for me. It’s recognition from my peers that I have had an impact in the sector where I have spent all my working life. I came into forestry from a generalist land management academic background and the Institute has been very important to allow me to affirm my credentials as a forester. I would really encourage any Professional Member that is thinking of becoming a Fellow to go for it. It’s a great feeling!”
John Parker FICFor – CEO, Arboricultural Association
John has been a key advocate for arboriculture for more than 15 years and a Chartered Arboriculturist since 2017. His contribution to the sector and leadership has continued throughout his career as a student, tree officer, senior technical specialist, technical director, chief executive and volunteer at a local, national and international level.
He took up the role of CEO of the Arboricultural Association in 2021 and also sits on the BSI/2013 Committee, the Environmental Horticulture Group, the London Urban Forest Group and the Plant Health Alliance.
John said:
“I am delighted to have been approved as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Fellowship is the highest grade of membership at the Institute and it is an honour to have been recognised by my peers in this way.”
