Our Team

Louise is responsible for promoting the professional status of Chartered Foresters and Arboriculturists among employers, decision-makers, the public and individual professionals.

Louise provides advice to key decision-makers and influencers. She has 20 years’ experience in evidence gathering, policy development, strategy, campaigning, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and people management.

Denise joined in November 2020 and manages all aspects of the Institute’s finances and accounts. Her career started in hospitality before moving into finance in 2010. Denise spent 7 years as Financial Controller at the Destiny Scotland Group after finishing BA in Business with Accounts at the Open University.

Jo has more than 20 years’ experience working with membership bodies, most recently for Bioscientifica, an organisation which strengthens biomedical communities to advance science and health. She thrives on working for organisations with integrity and is excited by the multi-faceted nature of the role of Head of Policy and Partnerships at the Institute.  She graduated from Lancaster University in French Studies and Linguistics and has been lucky enough to live in France, which gave her the opportunity to develop skills in relationship building at all levels. She is an advocate for open water swimming and physical activity in the outdoors and their benefits on mental health and wellbeing.

Mark joined the team in November 2019, bringing extensive marketing experience gained from roles in the IT, Events, and Medical Recruitment sectors. Educated to Masters degree level, he is responsible for setting the strategic marketing and communications agenda for the Institute. He particularly enjoys brand management and the successful execution of digital marketing strategies.

After studying Zoology at the University of Bristol, Rob spent several years carrying out research at a multinational agrochemical company before returning to academia undertaking a PhD in Microbial Ecology at the University of Reading. His role includes being the main contact between higher education institutes and ICF and is the ICF’s Regional Group Liaison. Rob represents the Institute within several fora including the Forestry Skills Forum in England and on the Trailblazer group developing higher level apprenticeships for the sector.

Shona joined the team in October 2022 as Senior Technical Officer, following nearly ten years in the commercial forestry sector. She has a range of experience in harvesting and forest management and is responsible for providing technical support to the Institute and its members, through policy, partnerships and CPD events. Shona is a Chartered Forester and has an undergraduate degree in Countryside and Environmental Management and an MSc in Forestry Management from Harper Adams University.

Ella helps to coordinate the Institute’s National, Regional and Partnership events. Before joining the Institute, Ella worked for an Events and Marketing company in London and has previously had event coordinator roles at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the National Trust.

Alice is responsible for designing content and collateral for the Institute’s website, social channels and events. She also deals with member and external communications and helps to produce the TREES quarterly magazine. Before joining the Institute, Alice worked for an international development charity in Edinburgh. She has a Fashion, Marketing & Branding degree from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Craig joined the Institute in October 2022 and is responsible for the smooth running of membership processes and procedures and promoting the benefits of chartered status. Prior to this, Craig was part of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, where he worked to coordinate, support and represent the many people and organisations based in Scotland with links to Malawi.  He also spent six years with the Chartered Banker Institute, where he managed a range of membership processes and supported members with their studies, CPD and all other aspects of their membership.

Dawn joined the team in February 2020 as our Member Services Administrator. She had previously worked in the Early Years Sector as a Nursery Administrator for 12 years and in the optical industry as an Optical Receptionist for almost 10 years. Dawn studied Administration & Information Technology in Edinburgh and has more than 20 years’ experience in customer-focused, administrative roles.

Kelly joined the team in December 2022, helping our Finance Director with financial administration, and supporting the Institute’s Council and committees. Before joining the Institute, Kelly worked in university governance for over 15 years, including at the universities of London, Bristol and Essex.

Michelle joined the team in December 2022 as Project Coordinator for the Institute’s Trees Call to Action Fund projects. She is enthused at bringing the project to life and rolling out the training to compliment the newly released UKFS standards. Michelle began her career in project management and consultancy, later moving into marketing and PR. After a career break and having a family, she returned to the work in 2018 as Sales and Supply Coordinator for Helen Browning.

Stuart has worked in the third sector in fundraising and marketing for more than 20 years and is currently Executive Director of The Scottish Forestry Trust. Until June 2024, Stuart was the Institute’s Member Services Director, having been with the Institute for more than ten years. In this post, Stuart was responsible the management of membership administration and accreditation procedures, including managing the process to chartership and supporting assessors and applicants. As the Institute’s Exams Consultant, he continues to provide support on the Professional Membership Entry/ Assessed Professional Competence assessment process on a part-time basis.