The Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) Centenary National Conference 2025: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future took place in Edinburgh on 29 & 30 April, with several highly prestigious ICF awards being presented to well-deserving, long-serving members who have played vitally important roles in shaping both the Institute and the sector.
The awards were presented during a special session on Day One of the conference, with Ben Gunneberg MICFor, Dr Helen McKay OBE FICFor CEnv, Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor, and others being honoured.
Ben Gunneberg MICFor received The President’s Award – an award recognising outstanding service to the Institute at either regional or national level. This award may be proposed by the Institute’s President and is approved and determined by ICF Council. Ben’s contribution to the ICF has been significant, with his involvement in several ICF committees over the years reflecting his commitment to an inclusive and equitable forestry sector, alongside a continued dedication to the highest professional and educational standards.
After receiving his award, Ben commented:
“I am honoured to receive The President’s Award for meritorious service, especially as the Institute celebrates its centenary year. Thank you to the President and Council for this recognition, and to all the inspiring forestry professionals I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. I’m proud to continue supporting the advancement of our profession and the sustainable management of our forests.”
Dr Helen McKay OBE FICFor CEnv was the first of two recipients of The Institute’s Medal, the Institute’s highest award, given for a sustained commitment to professional excellence in arboriculture and forestry. Previous winners have included Ian Ross OBE FICFor, Dr Joan Webber, and Peter Wilson FICFor CEnv.
Helen has dedicated more than 50 years to advancing sustainable forestry, making significant strides in forest research and practice. Her commitment to the sector is evident through her current role as Chief Forester for Scotland, in which she acts as the head of profession for public sector forestry professionals in Scotland. Helen has been instrumental in promoting forestry, increasing both recruitment and retention within the sector.
Commenting on her award, Helen said:
“The award was a complete surprise, so the full honour only dawned on me later that evening – however, I have a clear sense of the delegates’ warmth and applause at the presentation. I am truly grateful for this mark of recognition from fellow professionals. The ICF has been an important way of expanding my understanding of forestry and developing my networks beyond my main career in Forest Research so to be given The Institute’s Medal is enormously appreciated.”
The second recipient of The Institute’s Medal was Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor – a massively influential figure in the sector for more than 50 years.
A Bangor University graduate, Julian has authored more than 100 research papers and has written (or edited) 16 books on tree-related subjects. His work on broadleaf silviculture remains essential reading for students and aspiring foresters, and he previously served on ICF Council and as ICF President (2013–2015).
After receiving his award, Julian commented:
“Receiving the Institute’s medal is a great honour that allows me to express heartfelt thanks for the wonderful support of my family and that of our profession as a whole. Achievements are rarely sole efforts, but teamwork, mutual encouragement, and collective vision which I have benefited from throughout my career of which the Institute is one shining example. Thank you.”
The Institute was also delighted to present Gary Newman FICFor (Hon) with his Honorary Fellowship, awarded in recognition of his continued leadership in the forestry and timber sector, and his ongoing support of the Institute. David Chesterton MICFor and Daniel Harris MICFor, both of WSP, were presented with The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence, awarded for the demonstration of excellence during the Professional Membership Entry (the standard route to chartered status) process.
