Sir Patrick Hunter Blair has been appointed as chair of the south of Scotland Forestry Forum. He succeeds Paul Ignatieff.
The forum advises Forestry Commission Scotland on forestry policy and practice from a regional perspective, covering the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway through to Ayrshire. Its aim is to ensure local economic, social and environmental interests are well represented in developing forestry for the benefit of the region.
Sir Patrick has considerable experience as a professional land manager and is a former director of policy and standards at the Northern Ireland Forest Service. He worked there until 2005 when he returned home to Scotland to run the family estate at Blairquhan in South Ayrshire with his wife Marguerite.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and recent chair of its Professional and Educational Standards Committee. He is also a board member of Scottish Natural Heritage and a director of the Scottish Woodfuel Group.
Three new members have also joined the south of Scotland Forestry Forum – Neil Cowan of Howie Forest Products; Bobby McGhee, an Active Schools co-ordinator in Ayrshire; and Donald McPhillimy, a woodland consultant from the Scottish Borders.
