Trefor Owen has been appointed director of Forestry Commission Wales.
Mr Owen, a fluent Welsh speaker, joined the Forestry Commission 22 years ago and will oversee an organisation with more than 350 staff and a budget in excess of £40m.
He graduated in agriculture-forestry from Bangor University in 1985 and has held several forest management and leadership posts in Scotland and south, mid and north Wales since joining the Commission.
His appointment to one of the most senior civil servant posts in Wales follows the untimely death of Ian Forshaw in September 2007, since when Mr Owen has been interim director.
“This is an exciting time for forestry in Wales as we continue to make our contribution to the Assembly’s efforts to tackle climate change and drive forward the current review of Woodlands for Wales on the Assembly’s behalf,” said Mr Owen.
