New England forestry chief starts work
Simon Hodgson has just started many people's dream job – he's got 600,000 acres of England's most beautiful land to run.
But he won't be able to please himself with his enormous "estate". That's because he has to answer to one of the most-demanding bosses around - the British public.
Simon (50) has just started work as chief executive officer of Forest Enterprise England, the agency of Forestry Commission England that manages 258,000 hectares (637,000 acres) of publicly owned forest land in England.
The former Director of the West Midlands Regional Assembly will lead a team of 940 staff managing Forestry Commission forests and other land to provide a range of public benefits including sustainable wood supplies, outdoor recreation opportunities for the public, and safe places for valuable wild plants and animals to live, as well as promoting and encouraging rural and community development.
He has previously worked for the South West Regional Development Agency, the Rural Development Commission, the Woodland Trust, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. He recently worked with Forestry Commission England on the development of the West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework.
Born in Cardiff but brought up in Staffordshire, Simon has lived in Bath for the last 25 years, and holds a Geography Honours degree from Durham University. He was recently appointed Chair of the English Forest Industries Partnership (EFIP) and is a former Deputy Chair of a school governing body.
Welcoming Mr Hodgson's appointment, the Forestry Commission's England Director, Paul Hill-Tout, said,
"I'm very pleased to welcome a man of Simon Hodgson's calibre to this key post. He brings considerable abilities, a wealth of experience across a wide range of public service, and a knowledge and understanding of our role that will be invaluable as we continue to develop multi-purpose forestry in our national woods and forests.
"We, and the Government, want our woods and forests to play a vibrant part in contributing to the quality of life for people throughout England, and I'm confident that Simon will provide effective leadership to his team in this mission."
Simon Hodgson said,
"I feel honoured to have been invited to join Forestry Commission England. Over the years I have been impressed with the vision, innovation, enthusiasm and sense of mission with which its staff carry out their role in managing this magnificent asset, England's public forests, and I'm delighted to be one of them.
"I look forward to getting to know and working with my new team and our many stakeholders and partners, including the communities who live and work around our forests, to drive forward the Government's vision for sustainable, multi-purpose forestry in England for the benefit of everyone."
Simon will be based at Forest Enterprise England's head office in Bristol. Married with two children, he enjoys running and cycling in his leisure time.
* Forestry Commission England is part of the Forestry Commission, and serves as the Government's forestry department for England. It supports woodland owners with grants, felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and, through Defra, advises Ministers on forestry policy. Through its Forest Enterprise England agency, which Simon Hodgson heads, it manages 258,000 hectares (637,000 acres) of national forest land owned by Ministers for multiple public benefits such as sustainable wood production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/england
