*Phil won't be taking on new mentoring applications until the end of June.*

 

Why Phil would be an effective mentor:

  • Phil has over 30 years of experience in the Welsh timber and forestry industries as well as in the developing new markets for woodfuel and carbon, having spent most of his professional career in Wales. A large part of his work is involved directly with farmers, planting new woodlands and managing existing woodlands on farms in Wales. He is a highly experienced forest manager and forestry consultant, currently working as an independent practitioner and previously with private forestry companies.
  • Phil owns a 27-acre woodland near Aberystwyth in partnership with another joint owner and also leases a further 136-acre woodland near Cwm Rheidol. Both are mixed species, conifer and broadleaved woodlands and are PAWS under restoration.
  • As well as managing his own woodland, he currently manages over 3,700 acres across Wales as part of his forestry management and consultancy business. His role involves him in many different types of woodlands, from new woodland creation to managing semi-mature and mature woodlands under both Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) and Clear Fell & Replant (CFR) regimes. However, Phil specialises in transformation to CCF and can provide comprehensive mentoring on this topic.
  • Phil understands the complexities of managing smaller woodlands and the need for profit from woodland on farms. He believes that a combination of cost-effective working, appropriate machinery, the new carbon market, payments for public goods and ecosystem services can make small woodlands profitable and enhance the value of farms.
  • Phil is passionate about showing how integrated land management provides multiple benefits and maintains people on the land and supports communities. He has a strong interest in research and knowledge transfer and is eager to share his knowledge.
  • With his extensive experience and knowledge, Phil can provide guidance on all aspects of woodland planting and management.
  • Phil has experience and knowledge of water quality, with his focus primarily on trees and foresters and the impacts they have, positive and negative, in various situations. Phil also has expertise in agri pollution, namely mitigating the effects of pollution with tree planting. 

Current forestry business

  • 27 acres owned in partnership, 136 acres rented – both mixed species, conifer and broadleaved woodlands.
  • Forest Management and Forestry Consultancy business established in 1998

Qualifications/ achievements/ experience

  • 1976 – 1977: Trainee forester, Office National des Forêts (ONF), France
  • 1977 – 1979: BSc Forestry, Aberdeen University
  • 1980 – 1984: Forest Surveyor, Anderson and Marsden
  • 1984 – 1987: Deputy Manager, SK Timber
  • 1987 – 1989: Deputy Branch Manager - Carlisle, Tilhill Forestry
  • 1989 – 1997: Area Forest Manager, Shotton Forest Management
  • 1998 – present: Director, Sustainable Forest Management & SelectFor Ltd
  • 2006: Member, Wales Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel (WASP)
  • 2016: Member, Woodland Trust Wales Advisory group
  • 2016: Chairman, Irregular Silviculture Network (ISN)

 

TOP TIPS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

“Diversify your woodlands to manage risk.”

“Focus on quality production.”

“Make all forest operations cost-effective.”

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