Keith Oates appointed Forestry Commissioner

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of Keith Oates as a Forestry Commissioner for England. 

He has been appointed for a term of three years from April 2013, and will continue to serve on the Forestry Commission’s National Committee for England.

Welcoming his appointment, Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the Board of Forestry Commissioners, said,

“I’m very pleased that Keith Oates is joining the Board of Forestry Commissioners. He has served with distinction as a director on the National Committee for England, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of business and forestry.

“I am confident that his enthusiasm will prove invaluable to us in guiding the work of the Forestry Commission through what will undoubtedly be an exciting period of change and progress for forestry in England and Scotland.”

Mr Oates has been a non-executive member of Forestry Commission England’s National Committee since 2007.

He was executive Deputy Chairman of Marks & Spencer plc from 1994 to 1999, having joined as Finance Director in 1984, and was appointed Joint Managing Director in 1991. He was the founder and subsequently chairman of Marks & Spencer Financial Services for 15 years. He recently retired as Chairman of Phaunos Timber Fund, and is a Public Member of Network Rail. His previous experience includes serving as a non-executive director of Diageo plc, BT plc, the Financial Services Authority and the English and GB Sports Councils, and as a Governor of the BBC.

Visit the Forestry Commission website for more information www.forestry.gov.uk/commissioners.