New President for the Institute
(l-r) New ICF President David Henderson Howat FICFor and Vice President David Edwards FICFor
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) has announced its new President. David Henderson Howat FICFor has succeeded Prof Julian Evans OBE FICFor in the role at the 2015 ICF AGM, which took place on Wednesday, 22 April at The Angel Hotel in Cardiff.
A graduate of Edinburgh University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Mr Henderson Howat spent most of his working life with the Forestry Commission, mainly in Scotland, where he was the Commission’s Deputy Director. He also headed the Scottish Government’s Agricultural and Rural Development Division. Earlier in his career he worked in Thetford Forest; managed pine and eucalyptus forests in Swaziland; and was Forest District Manager in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area of central Scotland. He has recently undertaken consultancy work for the United Nations Forum on Forestry and for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. His office of ICF President follows a two-year term as Vice President of the Institute.
Upon his succession as ICF President, Mr Henderson Howat commented on the new phase of growth into which the Institute is entering:
“It is a great privilege to become President, and I look forward to building on the work of my predecessor, Julian Evans, and the Institute’s executive team. For the first time ever, we now have over 1500 members: our aim should be to continue to grow, in terms of both membership and reputation.
“Collectively, our members have unparalleled expertise in UK forestry and arboriculture. This unique strength allows us to maintain high professional standards, provide quality advice to government and work with educational bodies on meeting the profession’s future needs. Meanwhile, our national and regional events, and our publications, are valuable ways of disseminating the best practice needed for the future sustainable management of our trees, woods and forests.”
At its 2015 AGM, the Institute also announced the results of a vote by its members for a new Vice President. David Edwards FICFor, District Manager in Wales and Marches for UPM Tilhil has been elected to this office.
Since graduating from Aberdeen University in 1984, Mr Edwards has worked in the private sector, holding positions in Scotland, England and Wales. He is currently District Manager in Wales and Marches for UPM Tilhill. His broad breadth experience of commercial Forestry and Landscaping includes 10 years working in utility arboriculture on the railways and powerlines. Prior to his election as Vice President, Mr Edwards served ICF as an examiner, member of Council and Professional & Educational Standards Committee, Finance Officer and Regional Chairman in Wales.
New Council Members elected at the meeting were Chris Piper MICFor, Principal at CJ Piper & Co, and Andrew Sheridan MICFor, Woodland Officer at Forestry Commission Scotland.
