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Staff

What sets us apart is our people. Find out more about our staff, and the groups and teams within which they work. If you need the contact details for a specific member of our staff, you can also find those here.

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Groups and Teams:

Business development

 Members of the Business Development team work with FR research staff to identify relevant funding opportunities, to support engagement with potential partners and to provide practical advice and encouragement throughout the bid preparation process.
Business development staff

Climate change

 The Climate Change Research Group works to improve understanding of: the impact of climate change on forests and forestry; what role forestry can have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; and how forestry can adapt to reduce the impact of climate change and to benefit from any opportunities. The research is across the spectrum from more fundamental measurements, through developing methods and tools, undertaking practical action and demonstration, and providing advice and evidence to underpin policy. We have many external collaborations in the UK and Europe.
Forestry Staff gail atkinson BoSQ2MN.2e16d0ba.fill 600x600 1

Gail Atkinson
BSc, MSc, CEnv, EngD
Head of Climate Change Science
Climate change staff

Communications

 The team is in charge of communicating Forest Research science to the wider forestry sector, government departments and the public. We liaise with Press offices and policy departments, organise events and look after the agency’s digital communications. We are also responsible for a vast image library and the Research information service.
Communications staff

Fellows

 “Fellows” are former staff members, and acknowledged experts in their respective professional areas, who continue to work with us on an ad hoc basis in support of our activities.
Fellows

Forest genetics

 The Forest Genetics Science Group has a long history of tree improvement. Over the last 75 years significant improvements have been achieved in Sitka spruce and several other conifer species. Richard Whittet is currently responsible for tree improvement. The group is also involved in conservation genetics and this is led by Joan Cottrell. Scientific support for Forest Reproductive Materials is provided by Stuart A’Hara. The group also has a longstanding participation in EUFORGEN (European Forest Genetic Resources Programme). It is also a founding member of the Conifer Breeding Cooperative.
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Science group leader
Forest genetics staff

Human resources

 The Human Resources team is a strategic and operational partner in delivering FR Strategy for Growth. We play an important role in shaping long term people strategies and supporting a highly skilled, motivated and diverse workforce. We strive for a positive inclusive culture and working environment. We influence change initiatives around developing and growing talent, leading and managing; attracting and retaining the best people; management information and systems and championing FR being a great place to work. For all general enquires please read our careers page  or email HR.services@forestresearch.gov.uk . Alice Holt/NRS
Human resources staff

Inventory, forecasting and operational support (IFOS)

 IFOS provides practical software and data solutions to help our customers manage information about their woodland resource in a pragmatic and integrated way.  We also provide information, evidence and official statistics on the woodland resource in GB. We do this by blending GIS, Data Science, Statistics, Mapping and Forestry skills providing analysis, modelling and data processing solutions to answer the questions and queries posed to us.
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Head of IFOS
Inventory, forecasting and operational support (IFOS) staff

Land use and ecosystem services (LUES)

 The aim of LUES is to deliver evidence, methods and tools which support policymakers and practitioners in their understanding of how land use and climate change affects the biodiversity, resilience and ecosystem services of wooded landscapes now and in the future.
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Head of Land Use & Ecosystem Services
Land use and ecosystem services (LUES) staff

Mensuration, growth and yield

 The group focuses on quantifying Britain’s woodland resources, enabling the wood processing industries and renewable energy sector to assess the potential for UK raw material. Utilisation of UK timber also depends on timber quality so our research also aims to enable timber producers to understand how to improve their raw material and help ensure wood can compete with other materials.
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Science group leader
Mensuration, growth and yield staff

Physical environmental sciences

 Understanding the complex interactions between forests and their physical and historic environment. Our research on physical environmental issues aims to ensure that forestry policies and practice can support this objective for land management.
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Tom Nisbet
BSc, PhD
Science Group Leader
Physical environmental sciences staff

Senior management

 Senior management include members of the Executive Board and their staff
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James Pendlebury
BSc (Hons) For, PhD, FRSB, MICFor, MIMMM
Chief Executive
Senior management staff

Silviculture and wood properties

 The main aim of the Silviculture and wood properties Research Group is to provide scientific understanding and knowledge exchange to increase the resilience of Britain’s forests to climate change and biotic threats, whilst maintaining productivity.
Image of Dr Andrew Leslie standing in front of a variegated bush.

Dr Andrew Leslie
BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD
Head of Silviculture and Wood Properties
Silviculture and wood properties staff

Society and environment research group (SERG)

 The Society and Environment Research Group (SERG) is an interdisciplinary group carrying out research to develop a better understanding of the ways in which trees and woodlands can benefit society and how we make decisions about their creation, management and use.
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Bianca Ambrose-Oji
BSc, MSc (Oxon), PhD
Science group leader
Society and environment research group (SERG) staff

Technical development

 Technical Development evaluates and develops forestry methods and machinery for greater efficiency, improved ergonomics and safety and reduced environmental impact. Topics range from farm and small scale woodland operations to large scale upland forestry and land reclamation.
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Technical Development Manager
Technical development staff

Technical Services Unit (TSU)

 The Technical Services Unit (TSU) provides technical and environmental services to a broad range of customers across the UK. We work on many of the research programmes within Forest Research as well as with a number of customers throughout the Forestry Commission and several external bodies.
Technical Services Unit (TSU) staff

Tree health

 The Group’s role is to sustain the forestry and tree sector through three main activities –
  • Provide rapid  advice and diagnosis via Tree Health Advice and Diagnostic Service
  • Undertake relevant and topical research on the pest and pathogen threats that affect British trees and which informs management and future proofing
  • Undertake analysis and evaluation to underpin government policy on tree health [and provide representation at internal Plant Health forums]
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Head of Centre for Forest Protection
Tree health staff

Urban forests

 The Urban Forests Research Group (UFoRG) delivers scientific knowledge on the UK’s urban forests (all the trees in and around the urban realm – in public and private spaces, along linear routes and waterways, and in amenity areas). The Centre for Excellence for Land Regeneration to Woodland is housed within the Group: producing and disseminating science and expertise required to deliver sustainable woodland and wider green-infrastructure from degraded land.
Forestry Staff Kieron Doick 0WffVei.2e16d0ba.fill 600x600 1

Kieron Doick
BSc, MRes, PhD
Science group leader
Urban forests staff
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Work with us

If you would like to find out more about working with us please visit our Careers page

Careers at Forest Research

Cold Calling

Please do not contact our staff with cold calling, marketing emails or sales pitches and refer to our Procurement page for guidelines

Procurement at Forest Research