David Henderson-Howat is to become acting director of Forestry Commission England later this month. He is currently head of policy in Forestry Commission Scotland.
He previously ran the Agriculture & Rural Development Division at the Scottish government and has had a long and varied career in the Forestry Commission.
Simon Hodgson, the current chief executive of Forest Enterprise England, will take on a new, expanded role as chief executive of Forestry Commission England, managing and reshaping the business.
These interim moves follow the early retirement of current director England, Paul Hill-Tout, who is recovering from ill health.