How we are run

View across Whinlatter forest, mountains in the background and conifers in the foreground
Photo credit: Steve Blake

We look after the nation's forests

How do we run Forestry England?

Forestry England is an executive agency, sponsored by the Forestry Commission. Forestry England manages more land and trees than any other organisation in England. We provide hundreds of car parks, maintain thousands of miles of trails, and plant millions of trees. 

We have to raise most of the money needed for this work ourselves, with less than 10% of our funding coming from government. Money raised is reinvested into the woodlands that Forestry England cares for and with your support, we will be able to grow more forests, create more habitats for wildlife and extend our visitor offer to improve people’s wellbeing. 

The Board

The Board is appointed by the Forestry Commissioners. The Commissioners have delegated their functions to the Board under the Forestry Act 1967 and other legislation in respect of management of the nation’s forests.

The Board sets the strategy for Forestry England, provides leadership through setting the standards for how Forestry England does its work and the culture it promotes, and supports the Forestry England executives through constructive challenge and guidance. 

The Executive Team

The Executive Team support the Chief Executive to successfully manage the implementation of the strategy set by the Board and the effective management of Forestry England operations and performance.

The Forest Management Directors

Our work in the nation’s forests is locally led. Six Forest Management Directors are responsible for the implementation of Forestry England’s strategic objectives at a local level. Our Director of Westonbirt Arboretum leads our work caring for one of the world's finest tree collections at the National Arboretum.  

Meet the Forestry England Board

Sir William Worsley stood by wooden gate

Forestry Commission Chair

Photo of Mike Seddon chief executive from August 2019

Chief Executive and Chair of the Executive Team

Richard Stanford Chief Executive of Forestry England

Forestry Commission Chief Executive

Tristram Hilborn

Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Team

Woman smiling in front of greenery

Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Team

Chris Simpson smiling and standing in front of a wooded area in the sunshine

Non-executive Director

Meet the Executive Team

PK Khaira-Creswell

Director of Corporate Affairs

Josephine Lavelle

Director of Engagement and Marketing

A woman with chin length hair and glasses, smiles at the camera with trees in the background.

Director of Estates

James Simpson

Director of Operations - Forestry and Land Management

Hayley Skipper

Director of Operations – Commercial Visitor Development

Meet the Forest Management Directors

Man in green jacket stood next to a tree

Yorkshire District Forest Management Director

head shot of Paddy Harrop

Central District Forest Management Director

Headshot of Kevin May

North District Forest Management Director

Craig Harrison

South District Forest Management Director

Andrew Smith

Westonbirt Forest Management Director

head shot of Kevin Stannard

West District Forest Management Director and Deputy Surveyor for the Forest of Dean

Man in glasses stood in front of woodland

East District Forest Management Director

autumn in the woods

Contact us

We will be as open as we can with information.

You may also be interested in...

Two women smiling looking at a website in an office
Article
04 March 2024

Join us on our mission to create amazing places for people to enjoy, homes for wildlife and sustainable timber, all while tackling the effects of climate change.

Volunteering group sat on a bench

If you enjoy the outdoors, want to learn new skills, meet new people and be part of our team, why not get involved with your local forest?

Search the map below to find a volunteer...

A view looking up on the Tall Trees Trail
Article
28 September 2018

Keep up to date with the latest news from around the nation's woods and forests.

The Blog
Article
10 February 2024

The Forestry England blog is packed with inspiration, activities, competitions and updates from England's forests. Sign up and let us know your preferences for inspiration...