The Queen has approved the appointment of Tim Rollinson as Director-General of the Forestry Commission.

Mr Rollinson (50) is presently Director of the Commission’s Forestry Group, having previously held posts within the organisation as Chief Conservator for England; Secretary to the Commissioners; Head of Land Use Planning; and in forestry research. He started his career with the Commission in 1976, managing forests in Kent and Sussex, and then the New Forest.

Welcoming Mr Rollinson’s appointment, Forestry Commission Chairman, Lord Clark, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Tim as Director-General. I have known him for a number of years now and believe he has just the kind of experience and skills needed for this job which, post-devolution, is more important than ever. His enthusiasm, hard work and good sense have won him confidence across the whole of the forestry sector, and I look forward to working with him.”

Mr Rollinson graduated from Edinburgh University with a BSc in Ecological Science and Honours in Resource Management. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and was President of the Institute from 2000 to 2002. He is married with two daughters and a son. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Rollinson said:

“This is a first-class organisation with very committed and expert staff. I believe there is potential for it to go further. Our challenge now is to build on the Commission’s strong reputation for delivery to provide the wide range of goods and services that meet the needs of the people and the administrations of England, Scotland and Wales.”