Our People
Our Senior Management Team
Ralland Browne
Managing Director
Ralland Browne has over thirty years’ experience working with Scottish Woodlands Ltd, covering most aspects of Private Sector Forestry. Prior to becoming MD, he was most recently working as Investment Director for the Company. As Managing Director, he has overall corporate responsibility for Scottish Woodlands Ltd. He is a Board Member of Confor: Confederation of Forest Industries and a Trustee of the Scottish Forestry Trust.
ralland.browne@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Charles Bushby
Regional Manager
Following a military career, Charles has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 15 years, currently as Regional Manager in Central Region which covers 3 offices. He has a wide experience of new planting and management of existing woodlands to successfully establish a range of different woodlands in both lowland and upland settings as well as harvesting operations, and responsibility for staff across the region.
charles.bushby@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Sandpiper
Iain Calvert
Head of Compliance
Iain is the company’s professional Health and Safety Advisor, heading up the Compliance Support Team. He leads on the company’s Controlled Documentation, including the specific procedural and documentation suite within the Utilities division. He leads the scoping and delivery of the company’s compliance programme including Internal and External Audit Schedules for quality and safety management and specialist Utilities audits; rail and electricity. Iain leads on accident and incident investigations across the company.
iain.calvert@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Fochabers
Neil Crookston
Assistant Regional Manager
Neil has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 10 years; currently as Branch Manager at Fochabers. He has experience in all aspects of forest management and site management of forestry operations throughout Central and North-East Scotland, particularly in relation to woodland creation projects, grant advice and forest planning for traditional estates and investment properties. He understands the requirements of managing projects to meet client expectations.
neil.crookston@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Fochabers
Duncan Gilchrist
Head of Division - Landscaping
With over 20 years in the Landscape industry, Duncan is currently Head of the Landscaping Division with responsibility for the Division’s Team and the strategic development of the business stream, as well as the portfolio of land within the Division’s management. He developed the Company’s residential Land Management strategy, with registration as Property Factors, and oversees the associated property factoring services, customer care and credit control.
duncan.gilchrist@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Roddinglaw (Landscaping)
Michael Hall
Regional Manager
Michael is currently Regional Manager for Scottish Woodlands' South-East Region, covering 3 offices. He has been with the company for over 20 years, specialising in timber harvesting and marketing. As Regional Manager, is he responsible for the strategy, vision and development of the region as well as developing staff and work programmes across the region. Michael also represents the company on some industry committees and meetings.
michael.hall@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Alnwick
Dessy Henry
Regional Manager
Dessy has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 20 years. Originally based in Northern Ireland, he is currently Regional Manager for North Scotland and Ireland, covering 4 offices. He is responsible for forestry and harvesting operations across the region, overseeing the practical implementation of work sites and monitoring performance against targets to ensure efficient delivery of a high-quality forestry service to the company’s clients.
dessy.henry@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Strathpeffer
Rona Higgins
Compliance Manager
Rona has over 10 years’ experience with Scottish Woodlands in competency management, certification and training within the utilities sector and forest industries. As Compliance Manager, responsibilities include the provision of health and safety advice and support for employees and contractors. Planning and delivery of the company’s Audit Schedules for safety and quality management. Represents the company for surveillance, recertification, accreditation, client-led audits and worksite inspections. Provides on-going support with procurement, contract tendering and the management of Achilles UVDB, RISQS and Builders Profile Platforms.
rona.higgins@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Fochabers
Douglas Hyslop
Regional Harvesting & Marketing Manager
Douglas has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 30 years. He is currently Regional Harvesting and Marketing Manager for Central Region, managing the harvesting team. He is responsible for meeting budgets and ensuring statutory compliance so that a quality service is provided to clients. Douglas has extensive experience of working with clients in all aspects of timber harvesting, especially west-coast operations involving shipping logistics.
douglas.hyslop@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Sandpiper
Stuart Johnston
Forestry Director
Stuart Johnston has gained a wide practical, operational and planning experience during his career with Scottish Woodlands. He has extensive knowledge in major new woodland creation programmes carried out across central, west and north Scotland as well as working with traditional estate owners, forestry agents and institutions. He has been a director for over 20 years and is currently Forestry Director for the Company.
stuart.johnston@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Lochgilphead
Andrew Kennedy
Regional Manager (Investment & Business Development)
Andrew has extensive experience in acting for Investors and landowners on a wide range of transactions, delivering a service which is sharply focused on the requirements of the client to achieve the best possible outcome. His specialisms include the pro-active pursuit and appraisal of commercial forestry opportunities. With over 30 years’ involvement in the Industry, he is well placed to identify your specific forestry Investment.
andrew.kennedy@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Castle Douglas
Colin Kennedy
Associate Director
Colin has been with the Company since 1981 after graduating in forestry. Over the years, he has worked in a variety of roles around the country, with experience in timber harvesting and marketing, management of forestry holdings and involvement in many new planting schemes. He was a Director from 2002-2008, and since then has been Associate Director, focussing on key client management, renewable energy development and company representational work.
colin.kennedy@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Castle Douglas
Adrian Kirby
Head of IT & GIS
With over 18 years post graduate experience in the forest industry Adrian has evolved his role within SW from Forest Manager to GIS & data specialist and is now within the technical department as the head of IT & GIS. This diverse range of experience has helped with the design of many unique applications for forestry including developments in GIS, data capture, processing & reporting.
adrian.kirby@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Lynne MacDonald
Human Resources Manager
Lynne is a fully qualified HR Professional with over 20 years’ HR experience working in various business sectors. Lynne has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 5 years and is responsible for the full HR remit, working in partnership with the Senior Management Team in creating and delivering an HR capability and strategy that meets with the needs of the business.
lynne.macDonald@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Paul May
Regional Harvesting Manager
Paul has 20 years of experience in the forest industry, working in both the private and public sectors. He has wide operational forestry experience, currently specialising in timber harvesting as Senior Harvesting and Marketing Manager in Central Region.
paul.may@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Lochgilphead
Ali Menarry
Regional Manager
Ali has worked in the forest industry for over 40 years, starting with practical experience on the ground, before becoming a self-employed contractor, and progressing to forest manager and consultant. Since joining Scottish Woodlands, Ali is now Regional Manager for South-West Scotland. He is responsible for overseeing all operational activities in forest management and harvesting as well as compliance across the region.
ali.menarry@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Castle Douglas
Craig Nimmo
Utilities & Landscaping Director
Craig Nimmo has worked with Scottish Woodlands for over 20 years, developing operations within the Utilities sector - railways and electrical-related operations, often CDM-regulated. Currently, as Utilities and Landscaping Director, he has responsibility for the overall management of the two divisions. Craig ensures that all aspects of operational work are compliant with client standards and government legislation, delivered by a skilled workforce in an efficient and timeous manner.
craig.nimmo@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Utilities
Simon Oldham
Technical Director
Simon has over 30 years of experience working in the UK forest industry. Previous roles with Scottish Woodlands include specialism in timber harvesting and marketing as well as large scale commercial forest management. He is currently Technical Director, with responsibility for the provision of support services to operational staff across the company. His role includes corporate insurances, the Scottish Woodlands Growing Timber Insurance scheme, digital mapping and ICT, corporate promotion and systems development. Simon is also chair of the Borders Timber Transport Group.
simon.oldham@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Matthew Parr
General Manager, Projects
In conjunction with the SWL Directors and Regional Managers, Matt has been tasked with the coordination, activities and long-term strategy of projects in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Matt’s experience in both mainstream forestry and the utility sector provides an ideal core base of knowledge to deliver the demanding operational scope, coordinated management, high health & safety and environmental requirements associated with all types of projects in the forest industry.
matthew.parr@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Sandpiper
David Robertson
Head of Division - Investment
David heads up our Investment Division. Day-to-day he liaises with professional advisors, agents and a variety of other partners to find, place, and secure a range of forestry and land subjects on behalf of private, corporate and institutional clients. David has over 30 years of experience in the forestry industry, starting in the field, and he has been involved in Forest Management for over 24 years.
david.robertson@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Sandpiper
Ian Robinson
Operational Director
Ian has worked with Scottish Woodlands since 1987, working in a variety of roles with experience in forest management, harvesting, forest certification and staff management. Ian became Operational Director in 2017. In this role, he has responsibility for South-East and Central regions as well as being an Executive Director of the Company. He represents the Company at some industry committees and meetings.
ian.robinson@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Alnwick
Stephen Stanley
Timber Marketing Director
With over 40 years in the forestry industry including over 10 years with Scottish Woodlands, Stephen Stanley is currently Timber Marketing Director. He is responsible for all aspects of corporate timber marketing including the development and implementation of strategy, negotiation and review of supply agreements and terms of business, oversight of the management of timber marketing agreements and ensuring a high standard of customer care.
stephen.stanley@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Bruce Taylor
Regional Development Manager
Bruce has over 30 years of experience managing forestry and estates in north and west Scotland. Currently, he is Regional Development Manager in North region where he develops and manages forestry business across the region in liaison with relevant colleagues. He contributes to regional planning and implementation of operations, managing staff and mentoring junior staff to ensure compliance with management, health and safety systems.
bruce.taylor@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Strathpeffer
Andrew Tuft
Regional Harvesting & Marketing Manager
Andrew Tuft has twenty-one years of timber harvesting and marketing experience, starting his career in the Northern Ireland Forest Service in 1997 then joining Scottish Woodlands in 2004. As Regional Harvesting and Marketing Manager for SE Region, Andrew is responsible for the management and co-ordination of the region’s harvesting and marketing activities. Andrew is also responsible for the co-ordination of the company’s timber marketing activities in South Scotland / North England.
andrew.tuft@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Newtown St Boswells
Richard Walker
Finance Director
Richard Walker is a Chartered Accountant and became Finance Director in 2016. He is also Company Secretary of SWL Limited and group companies. Richard has overall responsibility for the company's accounting function, developing and implementing internal and external financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory matters. Before joining the Company, he had been the Company Auditor while practising as an accountant.
richard.walker@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Head Office
Alison Wallace
Assistant Regional Manager
Alison has over 20 years' experience working as a forest manager in south-west Scotland. She is currently Assistant Regional Manager with staff responsibilities to oversee financial performance of managers as well as managing over 15,000 hectares of private woodland which includes new planting, general woodland maintenance, felling and restocking. Alison also assists the Environment and Certification Manager with internal and external audits for forest certification.
alison.wallace@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Castle Douglas
Stuart Wilkie
Environment and Certification Manager
Stuart has a wide experience in forest management across Scotland. He is currently Environment and Certification Manager, with responsibility for the overall management of the company’s Environmental Management Systems as well as forest certification, for forest management and chain of custody, to ensure corporate compliance and conformance to certification standards. He represents the Company on various industry groups including the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) Steering Group.
stuart.wilkie@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
Perth Sandpiper