Industry innovators, leaders and advocates among Confor awardees

Ms Gougeon also touched on the Woodland Creation Route Map published by Scottish Government earlier this month and announced her intention to host a Forestry Strategy Summit later in 2025. Seven other MSPs were also in attendance, including Arianne Burgess MSP, Finlay Carson MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP, Daniel Johnson MSP, Edward Mountain MSP, Colin Smyth MSP and Brian Whittle MSP. 

Confor’s Dedicated Service to Forestry Award was bestowed upon John Paterson, Manager at EGGER Group UK. John has held numerous roles within the forestry arm of EGGER over the last 37 years and his name has long been synonymous with the brand, the panel board sector, and the wider timber processing and UK forestry industry as a whole.

Confor Chair Lord Duncan of Springbank applauded John’s contribution to the industry, from being a founding member of the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) and supporting both the Wood Panel Industry Federation and the Timber Transport Forum (TTF), to constant advocacy in regulatory and political circles.

Now in it’s fifth year, the Changing Attitudes Award is sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd and is given to an organisation or individual going above and beyond to promote forestry and wood beyond the bounds of the industry.

Paul Brannen, Director of Public Affairs for CEI-Bois & EOS, received the accolade in recognition of his efforts to get the new Government to recognise the significance of embodied carbon in the built environment. The judges drew special attention to his 2024 book (Timber! How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown) as a well-researched, well-structured argument for the greater use of timber, and why this means far more wood-producing forests must be planted.

CarbonStore Ltd sponsor the Net Zero Award, which is presented to an individual or organisation making a specific and measurable contribution to the forestry and wood industry's efforts to deliver the UK's net zero ambitions.

It was received by NexGen Tree Shelters Ltd, whose tree guards ensure wool is used sustainably in a circular economy model for broadleaf trees grown in perpetuity, improving biodiversity, water quality and landscape value.

Confor extends our congratulations to all winners and nominees, and our gratitude to the award sponsors mentioned here, as well as Green-tech Ltd and the University of Cumbria for supporting the event.