The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Tom Jenkins FICFor and Dr Gary Kerr FICFor CEnv have been awarded the Institute’s Medal.
The Institute’s Medal is our highest honour – given to individuals who demonstrate a continued commitment to professional excellence and service in forestry. It is presented to those whose work reaches beyond the profession and is recognised UK-wide. Both Tom and Gary have contributed significantly to the sector’s development throughout their careers and to many aspects of the Institute’s operations during their membership.
Tom Jenkins FICFor is Head of Forest Research Wales. He joined the Institute as an Associate member in 1991, successfully completing his Professional Membership Examinations (PME) and being admitted as a Professional Member in 1995. He became a Fellow of the Institute in 2007. Tom served as an Assessor of the Institute’s examinations from 2000–2006, and was appointed as the Moderator of the Examinations Board in 2007 and has served in this capacity ever since.
As Moderator, Tom has been co-opted onto the Institute’s Professional & Educational Standards Committee (PESC) since 2007. As an Assessor and Moderator, Tom has participated in 502 professional interviews (383 PME and 119 APC), and independently reviewed more than 123 submissions (108 PME and 15 APC). Tom has also served as an Institute Representative on the Defra Tree Health Policy Group since 2021.
Dr Gary Kerr FICFor CEnv is Principal Silviculturist at Forest Research. He joined the Institute as a Student member in 1985 and progressed to Associate membership later than year. He completed his PME and was admitted as a Professional Member in 1989. He became a Fellow of the Institute in 2003.
Gary was elected to Council in 2021 and served as Secretary of the South East England Regional Group 1992-1996, when he took over as chairman. He was Editor-in-Chief of Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research between 2001–2021. During his tenure, the journal brought in more than £1m of income to the Institute and the journal’s Impact Factor has increased considerably. Gary has been appointed to succeed Peter Whitfield FICFor as Chair of the Institute’s Professional & Educational Standards Committee at the end of 2022.
