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News Release from: Forestry Commission
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 September 2005
Forestry Commission England new post
Forestry Commission England has appointed Rod Leslie, of Bristol, to its new post of Head of Programmes.
Forestry Commission England has appointed Rod Leslie, of Bristol, to its new post of Head of Programmes Announcing the appointment, the Commission's England Director, Paul Hill-Tout, said, "I'm delighted to welcome Rod Leslie to this important new post as head of our programmes group
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 15 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Rod will become our key link person between the Commission and the Forestry Policy Unit in Defra.
He will lead on providing forestry advice to Government, and he will lead on converting policy decisions coming out of government into our forestry action on the ground." The Programme Group that he will lead comprises key advisers such as foresters, ecologists, landscape architects, social forestry advisers, environmental education advisers and archaeologists.
It was established in response to the Government's Modernising Rural Delivery programme, which requires the clear separation of policy from delivery.
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Latest national statistics on timber price indices, and the latest national statistics on UK wood production and trade (provisional results), produced by Forestry Commission
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Woods near to towns and cities are set to get a new lease of life, thanks to a further GBP24m cash injection from the Scottish Government.
Policy responsibility in England has already been transferred to Defra's new Forestry Policy Unit.
The Programme Group will provide advice to Defra and other government departments on the contribution that woods and forestry can make to policy across all areas of government activity, including health, education, tourism, recreation and community development.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Leslie said, "I believe there are real opportunities for foresters and for the benefits that woods and forests can provide in a rapidly changing society.
"England's woods and forests are already well known as environmentally friendly producers of sustainable timber supplies and as great places to go for some exercise and fresh air.
"I am looking forward to working with a wide range of people and organisations in government and the wider community to develop some of the other benefits that they can provide, such as in education, health, community and rural development, and making our towns and cities better places to live".
Mr Leslie has worked for the Forestry Commission since 1976, most recently as Acting Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise England.
His career spans field management in Yorkshire and Northumberland, harvesting system development, and conservation policy.
He was the Commission's private forestry and environment officer for South and West England from 1988 to 1992.
A keen ornithologist, he co-authored the book "Birds and Forestry" (Poyser 1990), and is an expert on nightjar, a species that has benefitted from forestry.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and lives in Bristol, where he will continue to be based.
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