Hamish Macleod wins Confor award for dedication to forestry

Still working part-time for BSW Group, Mr Macleod joined the business as the director of public affairs in 2012. This role saw him represent the company in front of parliamentary committees to promote BSW's position as a low-carbon, solution-orientated business - ensuring that the group leads the way in the timber industry.

Mr Macleod has effectively advocated to politicians and organisations for the social, economic, and environmental benefits of a thriving forestry and timber sector. He has worked to establish positive relationships with stakeholders across the political spectrum in Westminster, Cardiff and Edinburgh to gather support for the whole industry, not only BSW.

Mr Macleod has represented the company and broader sector in front of parliamentary committees on several occasions, each drawing from his vast expertise and effectively illustrating the industry's challenges. His pride and passion for the forestry and timber sectors are evident in all his work and continue to motivate him in semi-retirement.

"Hamish has tirelessly represented the BSW Group in numerous public, political and governing body arenas, ensuring that the voice of not only of BSW but of the wider timber industry was heard," said Tony Hackney, CEO of BSW.

With a degree in technology/business studies from the University of Strathclyde, Mr Macleod has a keen eye for innovation and driving manufacturing efficiencies. He began his career in 1978 as a Unilever graduate trainee with Thames Board, now Iggesund. Here he commenced his training in papermaking and hands-on forestry operations.

In 1993, he moved to Howie Forest Products in Dalbeattie, first as general manager and then as managing director, which continued under the acquisition of BSW in 2009. As a member of the group operations board, he has taken a leading role in successful campaigns to demonstrate the benefits of using timber in innovative design as a sustainable product for use in construction when sourced from well-managed, sustainable UK forests.

Mr Macleod served six years as non-exec Forestry Commissioner and chair as part of the Forestry Commission Scotland National Committee. His passion for British forestry and championing of the sector continued with various roles on boards and committees such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies Industry Leadership Group (SFTT), Strategic Integrated Research in Timber (SIRT) Timber Trade Federation (TTF), Wood for Good, UK Forest Products Association (UKFPA) and as president of the UK Softwood Sawmillers Association.