We are delighted to announce the promotion of two new Fellows of the Institute, including the youngest Fellow at just 32 years old.
Professor James Pendlebury FICFor, Chief Executive of Forest Research, and Harry Wakefield FICFor, Head Forester at Holkham Estate, were awarded Fellowships in September 2024 by authority of the Institute’s Council.
As Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of Forest Research, James is responsible for the strategic vision and scientific direction of the organisation, the leadership of more than 430 staff and an annual turnover in excess of £38m. He ensures that Forest Research provides appropriate research and evidence to the Forestry Commission, Defra and devolved administrations. Under his leadership, Forest Research has grown its operating income by over 92% to £37.4M since 2019-20 and over the last three years has secured and delivered over £22M of investment in Forest Research’s estate and science capability.
James is also a director of the Institut Européen de la Forêt Cultivée (IEFC) and Genomia Management Limited, and a trustee of the Scottish Forestry Trust. James joined the Forestry Commission in 2002 holding several positions before becoming Chief Executive of Forest Research in 2008. Before this, he had a distinguished career in research, management and market development in the timber and forestry sectors in several countries including the UK, United States, South Africa, The Netherlands and New Zealand.
Speaking on his Fellowship, James said:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues who nominated me for a Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and to the Institute’s Professional and Educational Standards Committee for supporting my nomination. I am genuinely delighted to be promoted to be a Fellow and to have been recognised by my peers as worthy of this honour.”
Harry is now the Institute’s youngest Fellow at 32 years old. He has been Head Forester at the large rural historic Holkham Estate in Norfolk since 2015 where he is responsible for 2,500 acres of woodland and the 3,000-acre parkland. His work on the estate is varied and includes the management of a multi-diverse woodland Grade I listed Park, National Nature Reserve and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, strengthened by his leadership and proactive approach to management.
An elected Council Member of the Institute from 2022-2024, Harry has also supported the Institute as an Assessor for the Professional Membership Entry process. He also developed and led the Institute’s National Study Tour in 2023 at Holkham where members explored the estate’s forestry cover, covering practical woodland management, current pest and disease threats, deer management, species choice, recreational challenges and more.
Speaking on his Fellowship, Harry said:
“I am honoured and proud to have been promoted to a Fellow. Although I am at an early stage of my career, this privileged professional status has reinforced recognition of my achievements and contribution within our sector. The Institute of Chartered Foresters has been a foundation of my career and I am humbled that I can say I am the youngest ICF Fellow. I take this rarified position from the Fellow that inspired me to initially apply! I hope that I can be an exemplar to others within the industry and especially private rural estates, supporting the Institute by inspiring and mentoring others in gaining their professional qualification and improving sector optics.
The forestry sector has given me an occupation I adore, with the Institute promoting and recognising professionalism. It is a privilege to spend my remaining career supporting these in this privileged position.”
