Corporate report

Forestry Commission communications strategy (agenda item 5)

Published 22 December 2023

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/executive-board-meeting-31-january-2023/forestry-commission-communications-strategy-agenda-item-5

Purpose

  1. This item is to update the committee on feedback from the Commissioners at meeting of the Board on 8 December 2022 and how we propose to take this forward.

Background

  1. The Forestry Commission is in need of an overarching strategy to provide a united front as a government organisation to champion its excellent work.

Discussion

  1. Forestry England, Forest Services and Forest Research each have or are already developing their own communications, marketing and engagement plans. However to truly maximise the Forestry Commission’s influence it is necessary to agree on core messages for interaction with policymakers and stakeholders.

  2. The Commissioners’ Board agreed that a holistic strategy would have a positive and wider reaching impact. The Board steered to away from using ‘forestry’ and agreed to provide support if and when needed for media opportunities, such as short notice interviews. Further discussion with communication leads has suggested the term ‘forests’ as a better alternative as it provides better branding (not land or trees) but still provides an accurate link to the organisation’s activities. The new suggested purpose statement is:

Together we make forests work

  1. The Board also suggested that resource will be needed to implement the strategy for successful engagement with audiences.

Recommendations

  1. There are 2 recommendations to the Executive Board. The Committee are invited to:

  2. Endorse the new strapline.
  3. Provide their view on further resource to support this work.

FC Deputy head of communications: 24 January 2023.

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