Tilhill Forest Managers Shortlisted for Confor’s Awards

Tilhill Forest Managers Shortlisted for Confor’s Awards

Two Tilhill Forest Managers have been shortlisted for new awards at the Confor 2020 dinner.

Tilhill Forest Manager Andrew MacQueen in South West Scotland has been shortlisted in the Future Leader Award sponsored by James Jones & Sons Ltd.

Eddie Addis, Regional Manager for the Tilhill Southern Scottish Region said: “I was delighted to hear Andrew had been shortlisted for the Future Leader Confor Award. His passion, knowledge and drive to improve what we do, coupled with his interest in silviculture and alternative productive species really makes the rest of us at Tilhill step back and consider what we are trying to achieve, and how we deliver it.”

Tilhill Southern England Forest Manager Andy Baker has also been shortlisted for the Changing Attitudes Award sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd.

Andy’s colleague Alex Mackinnon, Tilhill Southern England Business Development Manager said: “Andy is extremely passionate about climate change action and makes several personal and professional sacrifices to show this.

Andy spends a lot of his own time pursuing his professionalism, clearly understanding that these changes need to happen and will only be taken on board by an individual that is respected and trusted within the industry. Andy has attended forestry careers events to spread the message of forestry and its green credentials to the younger audience, both supporting the industry and climate change action and I can think of no one better to be shortlisted for such an award.”

Stuart Goodall, CEO of Confor, said: “We have been really pleased to see both the number and quality of nominations for these inaugural awards – 25 nominations in total. With so many high-quality people being nominated, it’s been a real challenge for the judging panels to shortlist just three candidates in each category. All those shortlisted should feel very proud and I thank everyone who has taken the time to nominate someone for an award. 

“I am very much looking forward to seeing the winners being recognised at our biggest ever dinner, with well over 150 guests expected . It’s extremely important to highlight the excellence in our growing industry by honouring great communicators and innovators, and future leaders.” 

The long-standing Dedicated Service to Forestry Award will also be presented at the dinner at The Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 25 February along with two special awards. 

Fergus Ewing MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, is guest of honour at the dinner, alongside Sir Harry Studholme, who is stepping down as chair of Forestry Commission.