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Forestry England
Non–Executive Director and ARAC Member

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About the Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission (FC) is a non-ministerial department (NMD) that has a vital role to play in helping the government achieve its objectives. It is headed by a board of Commissioners, with a Chair and up to 10 other Commissioners, made up of non-executive and executive appointments.

The FC was established over a century ago as a body serving Great Britain (GB), but the departure of Wales from the Commission in 2013 and Scotland in 2019, means that the FC’s work will be primarily in England.

About the Forestry England Board

About the Forestry England Board

About the audit and risk assurance committee - ARAC

About the audit and risk assurance committee - ARAC

Forestry England uses its scale and expertise to grow and care for the nation’s forests for this generation and the next. It is busy adapting these landscapes for tomorrow and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for people to enjoy. Its actions are providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber. Forestry England manages more land and trees than any other organisation in England and its work is made possible by the support of many, from individuals through to government. In short, Forestry England is growing forests, for all, for life.

Forest Services are the part of the FC that provides expertise and support in order to expand, protect, improve and connect England’s woodlands. Forest Services regulate and incentivise landowners to encourage new tree planting and to help keep private forests, trees and woodlands under sustainable management. The plant health team inspects imports and exports on wood, as well as our forests, and manage outbreaks to minimise the impacts of pests and diseases.

Forest Research provide the evidence base for UK forestry policy, practice and innovation. They are internationally renowned for the delivery of applied forest science, by providing research, evidence, data and services in support of sustainable forestry. Forest Research’s work informs the development and delivery of UK Government and devolved administration policies for sustainable management and protection of trees, woods, forests and natural resources sectors.

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About the Forestry England Board

Role and responsibilities

The Forestry Commissioners delegated their responsibilities and duties for managing the nation’s forests to the Forestry England Board. The Board sets the strategy for Forestry England, provides leadership by setting the standards for how Forestry England does its work and the culture it promotes. It also supports the Forestry England executive with constructive challenge and guidance, so we maintain the highest levels of corporate governance. Meet our current Board members How we are run

The main duties of the Forestry England Board are to: 

  • discharge functions delegated to them by the Board of Forestry Commissioners, to achieve a reasonable balance between social, environmental and economic outcomes.
  • set the strategic direction for the activities of Forestry England, including their part in the delivery of the objectives of the Forestry Commission, Defra and the Government’s forest policies.
  • ensure excellence in sustainable forest and land management, including ensuring that UKWAS Certification is maintained. 
  • ensure sound financial management of Forestry England; ensure commercial objectives are met, approve the allocation of finance in line with its functions and priorities.
  • monitor and steer the performance of Forestry England, ensuring clear, consistent, comparable performance information is used to drive improvements. 
  • determine Forestry England’s risk profile, ensure controls and mitigations are implemented, ensure a safe, healthy and inclusive working and recreational environment, ensure value for money and compliance with statutory or administrative requirements of a Public Corporation and Executive Agency.
  • ensure Forestry England has the expertise to deliver current and future needs through management and succession planning.
  • communicate the work of Forestry England to staff, volunteers, the public, partners and the media.

Meetings

The Forestry England Board meets 5 times a year; with 2 meetings combined with overnights including a visit to a site, 1 at the national office in Bristol and 2 held virtually. Additional meetings may be required, as necessary.

Board's full terms of reference

Forestry England Board Terms of Reference v8 Approved April 2024 (Download)

About the audit and risk assurance committee - ARAC 

The Forestry Commission maintains one ARAC which supports Forestry England and the other parts of the Forestry Commission.

The ARAC advises the Board of Commissioners, the Forestry England, Forest Services and Forest Research boards, and the associated Accounting Officers. The ARAC's main duties are to review and provide assurance to the Forestry Commission on:

  • the strategic process and governance of risk management,
  • the annual report and accounts for each area,
  • agreeing and reviewing the planned activities of external audit,
  • governance and review of security, fraud and whistleblowing and any associated incidents.

The terms of reference and further information for the ARAC can be found here: Forestry Commission Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (The ARAC) - GOV.UK

This role will bring financial expertise and accountancy practice to the ARAC and will be the Forestry England representative sitting on it.