CONFOR FORESTRY DINNER AND AWARDS 2020
Confor 2020 award winners honoured at annual dinner
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wo young foresters and five sector stalwarts were honoured at Confor’s expanded awards dinner, in what was described as “a fantastic celebration of a successful, growing industry”. Young forest manager Andrew MacQueen of Tilhill won the Future Forestry Leader Award, with Laura Charles of Forestry England and Huw Lloyd of Lockhart Garratt also shortlisted. George Moore, Executive Director of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, in one of two nominations for Andrew, said: “Very occasionally, one comes across someone with star quality - Andrew definitely has this.” Tom Bruce Jones, Chairman of James Jones & Sons, said the company had supported the Future Forestry Leader Award in memory of his father Tom A Bruce Jones, who died in 2019: “He was a great supporter of developing talent and leadership, not just at James Jones, but across the whole industry.” Mima Letts, Founder of Tree Sparks, received the Changing Attitudes Award for her work to inspire young people to consider careers in an “exciting and awesome” industry. The Trainee Forester at Chatsworth House, a graduate of Bangor University, was described as “an inspiration to us all” by one
of the people who nominated her. She won the award ahead of fellow finalists Cheryl Lundberg (Lockhart Garratt) and Andy Baker of Tilhill. The third new award, for Innovation & Research, went to long-serving James Jones & Sons haulage manager Jon Ritchie, with Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber and the Northern Research Station (Forest Research) the other finalists. Jon’s nomination said that in 35 years with James Jones, he had used the firm’s haulage fleet as “an impressive test bed for a variety of innovative and industry leading initiatives to improve the health safety and welfare of drivers”. The Dedicated Service to Forestry Award was presented to Martin Gale, Chairman of BSW Timber, by Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Top (l-r): PK Khaira-Creswell (company), Jamie Farquhar (Confor), Laura Charles (Forestry England); guest speaker Forestry Minister Fergus Ewing MSP waiting to be called; David and Dorothy Sulman received a special award. Below (l-r): Sarah Virgo (Wood for Good), Leona Baillie (SAC) and Daniela Thule (Crown Estate); winner of the Award for Dedicated Service – Martin Gale (BSW) – with Sir Harry Studholme (former Head of the Forestry Commission) who also received a Special Award; and two of the organisers, David Lee and Stef Kaiser
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Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Scottish Government. Mr Ewing later said: “The awards dinner was a fantastic celebration of a successful, growing industry. I was delighted to see young professionals honoured for making their mark alongside those who have given decades of outstanding service.” Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, said: “Martin Gale was one of the driving forces in the establishment of Confor in 2005 and has always provided his time generously to support industry bodies.” Mr Gale said the industry had a bright future because “wood was the raw material of the 21st century”. A special award went to Sir Harry Studholme, who stepped down in February after seven years as Chair of the Forestry Commission. Mr Goodall said: “Sir Harry served as chair during a period of great change in the Forestry Commission, and provided a calm presence. I have always found him to be a gentleman, generous with his time, hugely knowledgeable and truly passionate about forestry.” There was also a special presentation to David and Dorothy Sulman, who have retired after decades of combined service to the forestry and timber industry.
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