Confor welcomes new team member

Mr Heald is a professional member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and has nearly 20 years' experience in a various industry roles, both in the UK and internationally. He started work with UPM Tilhill in North Wales and was heavily involved in the development of Coed Llandegla mountain bike centre. More recently, he worked in UPM Tilhill's head office in Stirling, leading the assurance team, to ensure compliance with a range of legislation and regulation, including responsibility for the largest FSC group scheme in the UK.

For the past three years, Mr Heald has worked to ensure UPM's sustainability compliance for its global plantation management. This involved working in West and East Africa and living for several months in Uruguay. A key part of his role was co-operation and building trust with international organisations such as WWF and IUCN.

Confor CEO Stuart Goodall Mr Heald's knowledge and experience would be invaluable for members and the industry. "The requirements of certification are, in particular, an ever increasing burden and we need to ensure that it is providing value to those who work with it," he said.

Mr Heald will work for approximately three days a week until September.