Being chartered demonstrates my credibility to others and has really given me the confidence to build a business of my own. Chartered status improves the professional image of my business, which is important, especially when trying to win work, it helps to stand out from the crowd. Chartered status demonstrates that you are at the top of your profession and very committed to the work you do.
I have broadened my personal and professional network and I love the opportunities that ICF membership provides me and my business. The national and regional events, literature and social media interactions from the Institute help with my CPD and are often varied in subject area and a great way to meet new people and learn new things that I can apply to my job.
It has strengthened my links to the wider industry relating to trees. It has given me the opportunity to meet a range of professionals, and it is a source of alternative information, allowing me to be more creative in the work I do.
When I am in a room with a project team, perhaps on a large development project, where there is a chartered architect, chartered surveyor, and chartered engineer, it is important to me to be able to influence the project. Being chartered means I can be on an equal footing when providing my input on trees and their design requirements.
Since my student days, I have always viewed the Institute of Chartered Foresters as a very professional organisation, and one which I wanted to get involved with. The fact that it offers the arboriculturist a route to being chartered specifically relevant to their profession is so attractive to me, it makes complete sense to support the organisation through membership.
I was really delighted and feel privileged to have been elected as a member of the Institute’s Council, and for almost the past four years I have learnt so much about the inner workings of the organisation, I have had a huge opportunity to influence the support of arboriculture by the Institute. From this experience, it is very clear to me the deeply seated drive to promote professionalism in all that the Institute does. Very admirable.
You will find your career enhanced by chartered status, and the process of becoming a Professional Member is highly rewarding in itself.
Simply put, the Institute is the only Royal-Chartered body which represents arboricultural professionals.
As well as demonstrating my continued commitment to the forestry industry, I believe that chartered status will be a strong foundation upon which to develop my career and build professional relationships based on trust and respect.
I always knew I wanted to be a forester and use my technical knowledge and skills to manage the forests and land.
I have always loved being outdoors and within nature, so pursuing a career in this area seemed like an obvious choice.
For me, good forestry is about both long-term woodland resilience and investing in the people who will care for those landscapes in future.
Membership of the ICF offers reassurance to collaborators that I am accountable and working to a set of ethical standards.
The Institute has provided a platform which has enabled me to apply good governance and high professional standards in my day-to-day role.
Going through PME is a big piece of work and it was a significant milestone in my career. I feel proud to have achieved the MICFor post-nominals.
Being chartered reassures my clients that they are working with someone that has achieved industry recognition.
Being a member means I have people I can talk to about issues I want to know more about. Through the commitment to continued professional development, the Institute encourages me to better myself by learning more about the industry as a whole.
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