August 2025. Dr Ian Willoughby FICFor

What is the 'day job?'

I am a Principal Silviculturist with Forest Research, the research agency of the Forestry Commission.

What do you do outside of the Trust?

My role at Forest Research involves me carrying out innovative, applied forestry research across the UK, to develop techniques that will ensure our forests are more resilient to the threats posed by climate change, pests and diseases. My main areas of research are integrated forest vegetation management, and regeneration and early stand tending, and I have published more than 100 works of applied forest science on these and other topics. My ethos is to carry out high quality science, and then leverage that to deliver practical, applied solutions for the forestry sector.

Outside of work, I enjoy road cycling, scuba diving and reading.

How long have you been involved with The Scottish Forestry Trust?

I joined The Scottish Forestry Trust as a Trustee on 1 January 2023.

Why did you become a Trustee?

I have been fortunate enough to benefit from Scottish Forestry Trust research funding in the past (e.g. Alternative techniques for managing Hylobius abietis in 2019), and have always been impressed by both the range and the nature of the projects supported. In addition, and in contrast to many funding routes, I was very grateful for the Trust’s straightforward application and reporting process. I therefore wanted to help support the Trust in continuing with its activities in the future.

How do you view the role of a board member? What motivates you?

As a member of the Projects and Research Committee, I help review funding applications and progress reports, and I’m keen that we encourage as many people as possible to consider taking advantage of the opportunities on offer. My role on the Board of Trustees is to help to ensure the best interests of the charity are at the heart of our collective decision-making.

What do you bring to the Trust?

I have more than 30 years of experience with the Forestry Commission, initially as a practising forest manager, and subsequently as an applied forestry researcher. In terms of formal qualifications, I have both a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in forestry, an MBA, and I am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. The wide experience I gained in land management in the early part of my career has proved invaluable in ensuring my research remains focused and relevant, and I have built strong links with the wider forestry sector, in both the UK and overseas. I believe that all this puts me in a good position to help the Trust to achieve its aims.

What do you gain from involvement with the Trust?

I really enjoy reading some of the interesting and innovative funding proposals we receive. It’s also great to be working alongside, and learning from, such knowledgeable and experienced Trustees drawn from across the forestry and research sector, some of whom I wouldn’t normally come across as part of my day job. Meetings are never dull!

In your opinion, what are the most important challenges and opportunities facing the Trust?

Growing our funding base, and ensuring we continue to encourage high quality, innovative research proposals that deliver practical benefits to the sector.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about over the next 12 months?

I’m looking forward to seeing some of the projects that I saw the initial applications for progressing towards successful completion.