Kevin Quinlan (Chairperson) - Chief Executive

As CEO, Kevin is committed leading the agency on a wide range of environmental, social benefits and economic benefits for Scotland.  With a range of public, private and third sector appointments, Kevin brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge on environmental policy, climate change mitigation and adaption, in addition to trade and export, and delivering economic development advisory programmes in emerging markets. 

Kevin’s previous roles include Scottish Government Director of Environment and Forestry; Director of International Trade and Investment, and working for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Department. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and later worked for Oxfam GB, as well as in consulting. He is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds an MBA from Warwick University.

Graeme Hutton - Director of Net Zero

Graeme is accountable for a number of key service areas including Human Resources, Digital Services, Finance and Procurement, Learning and Development, Fleet and Buildings, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Records and Data Protection. Graeme, a qualified accountant, has previously worked for the Scottish Government Rural Economy Directorate, the Scottish Prison Service Agency and the National Health Service. He enjoys sports, runs to keep fit and likes spending time with his family and two dogs.

Michael Hymers - Director of Corporate Services

Michael has over 20 years’ experience leading and managing corporate and operation forestry delivery services, including the establishment of our capability as a standalone agency of Scottish Government. Our Corporate Services Directorate is responsible for Finance; People Team and Organisational Development; Corporate and Business Planning; Portfolio/ Project Management Office; Change Management; Communications, Brand and Media; Corporate Governance and Assurance; and managing FLS’s relationship with others. As a second-generation forester he has previously held a number of forest management and leadership roles, including managing a Direct Production Harvesting fleet and as a Forest District Manager.

Lyndon Jones - Non Executive Advisor

Lyndon brings an extensive experience of leadership and transformation developed over his career in the Royal Air Force and Civil Service both in the UK and abroad. As the Programme Director for projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio he has led and developed solutions integrating all aspects of a capability into operational service and as Programme Director for Astra, led transformation aimed across the entire Royal Air Force. Residing in Inverness, Lyndon has most recently led a large infrastructure programme in Moray.

David Leven - Director of Commercial Development

David leads on generating value from land agency, estate development, renewable energy, visitor services and natural capital. He also leads on achieving best value from our procurement activity. David was previously a Regional Manager in the East of Scotland where he oversaw delivery of all aspects of FLS’ operations.  Prior to this he spent over 25 years working in Government and with business and industry on land use planning and development, economic development, and international trade and investment.

Therese O’Donnell - Non Executive Advisor

Therese brings varied public and private sector experience and has served on numerous Boards and Committees. This has included international experience, business and management consulting on mergers and acquisitions, organisational transformation and change, and Corporate Affairs.

Jo O’Hara - Non Executive Advisor

Jo brings a wealth of private, public and third sector experience, including her previous role as Chief Executive of Forestry Commission Scotland and Scotland’s Chief Forester, as well as being vice-chair of influential environmental charity Changeworks.  Through her consultancy and leadership roles her remit and knowledge extends across land use, environmental, social and economic aspects across the UK and more widely in Europe. She remains integrated in the forestry sector as a Council Member and Trustee of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF).

Mark Pountain - Non Executive Advisor

Mark’s career spans service with the army, private, public and third sectors and includes international experience, business and management consulting. He has recent experience as a non-executive for Forestry Commission England.

Graeme Prest - Director of Land Management and Regions

Graeme has over 30 years’ experience of leading and managing operational delivery in both Scotland and England, including most recently Scotland’s forests and land in our North Region. Our Land Management and Regions Directorate is responsible for national land management services including Planning and Environment; Technical Services; Marketing and Sales; Visitor Attraction; and accountable for operational delivery across our five regions.

This includes protecting and maintaining the forests, working with others on award winning projects and initiatives on natural regeneration and peatland restoration, and co-ordinating all aspects of forest management to contribute to Government objectives. His particular interest and passion is nature conservation and connecting people with the natural environment.

Clea Warner - Non Executive Advisor

Clea brings more than two decades of transformational leadership experience, working alongside local communities to deliver sustainable benefits to both charitable assets in her care and the local area. She led the strategic development of an extensive property portfolio for English Heritage, consisting of twenty-two historic properties. As the National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the Highlands and Islands region she is responsible for a varied portfolio of 26 sites that includes eleven island properties, including the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site St Kilda.