Julia and Byron shortlisted for top industry awards
Two employees of Scottish Woodlands Ltd have been shortlisted for the premier forestry industry awards, to be presented later this month.
Julia Henriksson, Utilities Contract and Environmental Manager, based in Perth, is on a four-strong shortlist for the Future Leader Award, sponsored by James Jones & Sons.
Julia Henriksson
Her colleague Byron Braithwaite is also on a shortlist of four for a new award, for Building Industry Resilience - sponsored by Forestry Commission and Forestry & Land Scotland.
Byron Braithwaite
Both awards will be presented at the sold-out Confor Awards Dinner, to be held at the Surgeon's Quarter in Edinburgh on Wednesday February 19th.
The Changing Attitudes Award, sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, will also be presented at the event, with three entries shortlisted: Paul Brannen, Public Affairs Director of CEI-Bois & EOS, who published Timber: How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown last year; Tom Coates of James Jones & Sons Ltd; and The Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme.
Ian Robinson, Managing Director of Scottish woodlands Ltd, said: "We're delighted to be supporting this awards dinner again, as it has become a significant date on the forestry calendar as we gather at a packed dinner to celebrate the very best of our industry.”
"I'm also personally delighted that two of our many rising stars, Julia and Byron, have been shortlisted."
Byron's entry follows his prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship, Creating Forests That Thrive in a Changing Climate: Drought and Fire Resilience. His research, conducted outside his day job, is extensive and crucial to the future resilience of the forestry and wood industry. He has looked at the likely effects of drought and fire on the UK forest industry by observing forests in drier climates - and identified techniques and practical measures to increase the resilience of young trees at the establishment phase.
Julia's entry describes her as a "creative, talented and forward-thinking young leader" - especially in the way she links together forest management, utilities work and environmental considerations in a strategic and innovative way.
The awards dinner will also see presentations for the Net Zero Award and the ICF Professional Forester of the Year - and the top award, for Dedicated Service to Forestry. This is bestowed on a Confor Member who has made an outstanding positive contribution to the forestry industry over the course of their career.
Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of forestry and wood trade body Confor, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has been selected for the 2025 Confor Awards shortlist. I continue to be impressed by the high calibre of nominations that come in every year and applaud the achievements being recognised.”
“Our industry needs strong leaders, talented communicators, and those committed to delivering economic and environmental goals. For the first time, we have introduced a Building Industry Resilience Award this year, highlighting the need for everyone in forestry and wood processing to be thinking about tomorrow. Without a skilled workforce or political support, the industry will not be empowered to get trees in the ground, harvest sustainable, homegrown timber, and invest in the rural economy. Confor is proud to promote the voices driving those goals forward."