McRobbie to step down as Tilhill Forestry MD

However, Mr McRobbie, who has spent more than 40 years in the forestry sector, is not retiring and will continue as a director within the BSW Group. He will be based at Group headquarters in Earlston instead of Tilhill’s head office in Stirling. He will continue as a director of BSW Timber Ltd and as a non-executive director of Maelor Forest Nurseries Holdings Ltd. He will also continue his representation of BSW on the Confor board.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Tilhill’s MD for the past seven years but the time has come for me to hand over the reins to younger blood,” said Mr McRobbie. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Tilhill Forestry and I like to think that I have played a part in the transformation of the business since I first joined the Tilhill Board back in 2001. There are exciting opportunities for me to develop elsewhere in the BSW Group and I am relishing that new challenge.”

Gavin Adkins will take over as managing director on October 7. Tilhill Forestry’s board of directors will otherwise remain unchanged.

Mr Adkins began his career qualifying as a CIMA Accountant within FMCG food manufacturing industry before broadening his experience base when he joined the timber industry in 2002, spending 10 years in panel board manufacture in both financial and procurement roles. He was chairman of the Wood Panel Industries Federation from 2008 to 2012.

He joined BSW Timber in 2013as purchasing director and subsequently joined the Tilhill Forestry board as commercial director upon its acquisition by BSW in 2015. He brings to the role a broad range of commercial experience and a sustained record of success in the forestry products market place.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks to George who has, throughout his seven years as managing director, guided Tilhill Forestry with a steady hand to make it the company it is today,” said BSW Group CEO Tony Hackney.

“I also wish to congratulate Gavin on his new appointment. It is undoubtedly a significant role at the best of times but particularly more so in the challenging market conditions we are all currently experiencing. However, it is also a role that brings significant opportunities to build the Tilhill Forestry business, aided by renewed national government commitments to promote forestry in general and tree planting in particular

“I’m sure that Gavin’s enthusiasm and determination will enable him to continue to build upon Tilhill’s success. I am also pleased to be able to continue working with George and utilising the wealth of knowledge he brings to BSW of the forest industry. I wish both George and Gavin every success in their roles.”