Simon Hodgson (Chairperson) - Chief Executive

As 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.

Graeme Hutton - Director of Business Services

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

Since 2010, Michael has overseen the development of our capability as a standalone agency. Corporate Services has responsibility for managing corporate projects and change; comms and branding; corporate governance; and managing FLS’s relationship with others. His first permanent post in the Commission was managing the Direct Production Harvesting fleet. He also held a series of Delivery posts including Forest District Manager. He is the second generation of foresters in his family.

John Mair - Director of Estate Development

Estate Development is responsible for managing, expanding and developing Forestry and Land Scotland's landholdings through Land Agency and Agriculture, Acquisitions and Disposals, Renewables projects and Commercial Development. Prior to working for Forest Enterprise Scotland and subsequently FLS, John’s career has spanned property finance, commercial property investment and commercial development across the UK.

Graeme Prest - Director of Land Management and Regions

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. 

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

Mark Pountain - Non Executive Advisor

Mr Pountain’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.

Lisa Tennant - Non Executive Advisor

Ms Tennant brings varied public and private sector experience and has served on numerous Boards. She is currently a board member of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, the Energy and Communications Ombudsman and the Scottish Land Fund. She has also been appointed as an Ambassador for Women on Boards.