My own consultancy mainly focusing on forest-sector related projects. My particular focus in the last few years has been on projects relating to developing and managing forest-related certification schemes - sustainable forest management certification and forest-carbon certification in the UK and sustainable biomass certification internationally.

Having been involved in supporting the initial development of the Woodland Carbon Code and long serving on the Advisory Board, I was very pleased to be appointed chair of the WCC Disputes Panel.

Delighted to be appointed chair of the UKWAS working group taking forward the review and revision of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard. Following a revision of the UKWAS standard-setting process, the UKWAS steering group now appoints a fully independent working group to undertake the review and revision. This will be the fourth UKWAS revision process that I have chaired!

Following a governance review at UKWAS, I continue to support the UKWAS partnership focussing primarily on standards management and development aspects.

The UKWAS is the certification standard for sustainable forest management in the UK. It has been developed on a consensus basis and uniquely provides the basis for certification through both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for Endorsement of Certification (PEFC) schemes.Under my chairmanship I steered the partnership through three standard-revision exercises.

The Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) was formed in 2013 by seven major European utilities that are using biomass, mostly in the form of wood pellets, in large thermal power plants. The SBP views biomass-fired power and heat generation as a key technology in achieving the EU’s 2020 renewable energy targets and curbing climate change and requires the use of sustainable and legally harvested feedstock that avoids the potential detrimental effects on the environment and social welfare.SBP’s objective is to develop the tools necessary to provide assurance that solid biomass used for sustainable energy production by its member organisations is compliant with regulations on sustainability and biomass legality in European Union countries and that the sector is recognised as an exemplar of good practice. The SBP Framework is designed as a clear statement of principles, standards and processes necessary to demonstrate such compliance. Wherever possible, use is made of credible standards already used by other forest product streams and for other sustainable biomass sources. I developed the initial concept and business plan for SBP and, following appointment as Executive Director, I facilitated the development of the SBP Framework standards which were released in March 2015. The curernt focus is on implementation with a healthy demand for SBP-approval from certification bodies and for certification from biomass producers. With the SBP scheme now well established and moving beyond the start-up development phase, I stood back from my leadership role but continue to support the project from time to time.

I took on the task of running this small charity which runs an annual awards programme for well managed woods including schools awards and community awards. Funding beyond 2010 was the main challenge and following a record breaking silver jubilee awards programme in 2010 we rejigged the line-up of awards and secured new industry and public funding for the 2011 and subsequent awards. Since then the Awards have grown in stature and the finances are very healthy. With its reputation much enhanced and with a solid balance sheet and funding commitments in place I stood down following the 2014 Awards to focus on my other projects.

I chaired this small Charitable Trust helping mainly young people in their forestry career development.

The UK forest industries' 'woodchain partnership' representative body now integrated into successor organisation - the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor)

The UK's forest owners' organisation. Initially worked as Land Use & Environment Officer (1988-1990) then Technical Director (1991-1993) before taking up CEO role.

Following completion of an ODA studentship spent working for the Forest Industries Development Company, Jamaica and postgraduate studies at Oxford I worked for the UK Aid Programme as a Research Officer seconded to the Solomon Islands Government. I specialised in nursery and establishment research in support of commercial reforestation projects.

As part of my ODA studentship I was posted with FIDCO to assist in the development of the plantation establishment and management programme.