December 2025. Professor Paul Atkinson
What is the 'day job?'
I am a Co-Founder & Partner with Par Equity, which recently merged to become PXN Group, investing in Technology businesses and Natural Capital projects.
What do you do outside of the Trust?
Alongside my investment work, I provide leadership support and guidance to business founders, through my role as a Chair and Non-Executive Director of several businesses, including CreateFuture, StretchSense, Infinitx, and Taranata Group. I am also heavily involved in pro-bono and public interest work though my involvement in both Cyber & Fraud Centre Scotland and of course the Scottish Forestry Trust.
How long have you been involved with The Scottish Forestry Trust?
I first joined the Trust as a trustee on the 1st January 2020, becoming the Chair on the 1st January 2023.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I was first introduced to the work of the Trust by one of the existing Trustees, who I worked with on Par Equity’s Natural Capital and Forestry projects. I was very much attracted the opportunity to influence the impact of research and education within the Forestry Sector, but also the wider positive community impact of our natural landscapes and diversity.
How do you view the role of a board member? What motivates you?
My role as Chair involves supporting the executive Director in the running of the Trust and making sure our strategies and governance of the Trust are fit for purpose and providing meaningful impact. As Chair, I am also involved in the financial oversight of the Trust’s activities and the Trust’s investment approach.
I am motivated by helping others achieve their goals and in this case the potential to impact Forestry and Natural Capital to produce positive outcomes, both for communities and the wider Forestry sector.
It’s also highly motivating to work with my talented colleagues and fellow trustees, who bring huge knowledge and experience to the work of the Trust.
What do you bring to the Trust?
I bring extensive experience of Chairing boards, both within the private and not for profit sector. Plus, in this case I bring in-depth experience of the Forestry sector and Investment, as well as being able to access wide range relevant contacts to assist the Trust’s activities.
What do you gain from involvement with the Trust?
Firstly, I gain a great deal of satisfaction seeing the Trust and my Fellow Trustees achieve their objectives. I also gain a unique overview of the range of research and education projects available for the Trust to support. This leads to me having a much better understanding and insight to the factors that will affect the future of the Forestry and wider Natural capital sector.
In your opinion, what are the most important challenges and opportunities facing the Trust?
It extremely important that we continue to encourage the best research and education projects impacting our sector and that we have the best team of Trustees to support this, now and in the future. This in turn means that we need to ensure the long-term financial health of the Trust and ideally increase the Trust financial ability to support an increasing number and scale of projects, alongside our funding partners and institutions.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about over the next 12 months?
I am looking forward to the Trust having more resources and capacity to deliver more outcomes. Also, I am excited to continue the good work of the Scottish Forestry Trust alongside colleagues.