Three new appointments to Forestry Commission
Commissioners will be key to ensuring organisation is all set for the future of forestry
Defra Ministers have appointed three new Non-Executive Commissioners to Forestry Commission
Jennie Price CBE, Peter Latham OBE and Liz Philip have been appointed for three years commencing on 1 April 2019.
The Commissioners will play a pivotal role in establishing a strong, sustainable future for the organisation, enabling it to set out with confidence on the road to the next 100 years of forestry in England.
The Forestry Commission (FC) is a non-Ministerial Government department established nearly a century ago as a body serving Great Britain (GB). In 2013, Natural Resources Wales took over most of FC’s functions in Wales, and the Scottish Government will take over FC’s functions in Scotland this year, which means that from this point on the FC’s work will be primarily in England.
Forest Research will continue to operate across GB, and the whole FC will remain an outward looking, connected organisation, engaging with the forest industry and other national and international partners and stakeholders, and delivering research and other services to Scotland and Wales by agreement with the devolved governments.
All appointments to Forestry Commission are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. The appointments comply with the Ministerial Code of Governance on Public Appointments. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. All three appointees have declared that they have not taken part in any political activity in the past five years.
Details about the Forestry Commission management structure can be seen at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission
Biographical details:
Jennie Price
Until recently, Jennie Price was the CEO of Sport England. Jennie is a qualified lawyer and has previously been the CEO of WRAP, a Defra-supported environmental organisation specialising in recycling and resources management. She retains an active interest in sport and is Chair of the recently formed international supervisory board on integrity in tennis. She is also Chair of Youth United Foundation and a trustee of the Canal and River Trust. Jennie brings considerable expertise in engaging wide sectors of the community in outdoor activities and has an excellent understanding of the links to health and well-being.
Peter Latham
Peter Latham is currently the Chair of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification International (PEFC), a Director of Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT) and a trustee of the Commonwealth Forestry Association. He was previously CEO and Chairman of the timber distributor James Latham Plc. Peter brings extensive knowledge of the timber industry and experience of successful stakeholder engagement on an international level.
Liz Philip
Liz Philip is a recently retired Principal of two agricultural colleges, including Newton Rigg in Cumbria which was established as the National School of Forestry in 1969. Liz was a founding member of the National Land-Based College and was a Chair and Board Member at Higher York, which unites the city’s education and public bodies. She is currently a governor at Selby College. Liz brings a good understanding of the complexities of farming and forestry and their contribution to the rural economy.