Executive Team
As the Executive Team of Forestry & Land Scotland, we have the important job of looking after something incredibly valuable to the people of Scotland and its visitors – Scotland’s national forests and land.
Our role is to shape the priorities and activities that will help our 900 colleagues move us closer to our vision of forests and land that Scotland can be proud of. You can read more about how we’ll get there in our Corporate Plan.
We also provide advice and knowledge on professional, technical and regional matters to the Chief Executive.
We are
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John Dougan - Regional Manager, SouthJohn manages Scotland’s national forests and land in our South Region. His role is to protect and maintain the forests on behalf of Scottish Government Ministers, co-ordinating all aspects of forest management to contribute to Government objectives. He started working for the Commission as a Harvesting Forester, and subsequently progressed through a series of roles, mainly in Delivery activities, in different parts of Scotland. In 2004 he became Conservator for South Scotland, and latterly undertook several other senior roles in Scottish Forestry, before joining us. |
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Rosetta Forbes - Head of Human ResourcesRosetta is responsible for the delivery of HR, Health and Safety, Learning and Development and Diversity and Inclusion for Forestry and Land Scotland, and oversees the provision of these services to Scottish Forestry. She joined the Forestry Commission 4 years ago and prior to that, worked in both the public and private sector, including working in the pharmaceutical industry in London. |
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Simon Hodgson - Chief ExecutiveAs Chief Executive, Simon is committed to ensuring the forestry sector meets the highest standards in the interests of all its employees and contractors. Simon joined the Forestry Commission in 2005 as Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise England managing all its forests and commercial activities. Between 2011 and 2013 he was also Chief Executive of Forestry Commission England. |
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Andrew Hunt - Regional Manager, WestAndy manages Scotland’s national forests and land in our West Region. His role is to safeguard and enhance the forests on behalf of Scottish Ministers, co-ordinating all aspects of forest management to contribute to Government objectives. Through his 22 years in the organisation, Andy has worked predominantly in Delivery, in many locations across Scotland. He enjoys linking current forest and land management challenges and opportunities with teamwork and development. |
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Graeme Hutton - Director of Business ServicesGraeme leads on transforming our infrastructure, balancing our net zero and financial sustainability aspirations: reviewing our buildings, streamlining our fleet, harnessing technology and enabling business process re-engineering. Technology will not determine the change required, as this will remain business-led, however it will be a core enabler to it. Graeme, a qualified accountant, has previously worked for the Scottish Government Rural Economy Directorate, the Scottish Prison Service Agency and the National Health Service |
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Michael Hymers - Director of Corporate ServicesOur 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. 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. 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. |
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David Leven - Regional Manager, EastDavid manages the team looking after Scotland’s national forests and land in our East Region, safeguarding and enhancing FLS sites on behalf of Scottish Government Ministers. With over 25 years of experience of working for Government and with the private sector on land use planning, conservation, economic development and international trade and investment, David co-ordinates all aspects of forest management to contribute to Government objectives. |
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John Mair - Director of Estate DevelopmentCommercial Development has been set up to manage, expand and seek out best value opportunities on Forestry and Land Scotland's landholdings through Land Agency, Agriculture, Land Transactions, Renewables projects, external Partnerships including Communities and Carbon Projects, Procurement and Land Development. Prior to Forestry and Land Scotland, John has worked in property finance, commercial property investment and development across the UK. |
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Carol McGinnes - Regional Manager, CentralCarol manages Scotland’s national forests and land in our Central Region. Her role is to protect and maintain the forests on behalf of Scottish Government Ministers, co-ordinating all aspects of forest management to contribute to Government objectives. She has previously worked with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on a range of regulatory and partnership initiatives. |
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Tom Greenan – Interim Head of FinanceTom is responsible for the delivery of Finance for Forestry and Land Scotland, and oversees the provision of some of these services to Scottish Forestry. He joined Forestry and Land Scotland in May 2022 and prior to that, worked in both the private and public sector. Tom is a chartered accountant and has covered a number of senior Finance roles in IT, Business Services and Railway Infrastructure organisations. |
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Graeme Prest - Director of Land Management and RegionsOur 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. 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. This has included 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 |