The past couple of weeks have been incredibly poignant for me. As I approach my final few days working for the Institute of Chartered Foresters, I reflect on the past decade. I will forever be indebted to the then President, Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor and Russell Horsey MICFor for offering me the position of Membership Manager back in 2014. In doing so, they opened the door to the most truly welcoming and inspirational industry.

My role at the Institute of Chartered Foresters has afforded me many wonderful opportunities. I was fortunate enough to attend an Archnetwork Erasmus+ trip to Tampere, Finland to learn about Finnish forestry culture. I have had the privilege of a private tour of Kew Gardens with [shameless name drop incoming] former Head of the Arboretum, Tony Kirkham MBE VMH FICFor (Hon). I have attended numerous scientific conferences and symposiums throughout the length and breadth of the country and marvelled at the array of impassioned professionals sharing their findings, insights, and opinions.

However, throughout my employment with the Institute, one element has remained of paramount importance – the Institute’s examinations process. Fortunately for me, the examinations process [a legacy term, as the Institute no longer holds examinations as such] was, by far and away, the most enjoyable part of the job.

Indeed, it has been my privilege to serve you – the members – throughout my tenure. Over the course of the past 11 years, I have seen more than 500 Associate members present for Professional Membership Entry [the standard route to chartered status]. I have offered many of these members support at PME workshops and webinars, in one-to-one sessions, and through conversations via email or over the telephone. Despite my best efforts to remain impartial, it is difficult not to become involved. Anyone who has ever seen me pace the corridor at St. Leonard’s Hall [the venue for the Institute’s Professional Interviews] like an expectant father outside the delivery room will testify to that.

I have had the immense privilege of working with three distinguished Chairs of the Examinations Board – Alan Motion MBE FICFor, Steve McCartney FICFor and most recently Alex Murray FICFor. Three of the most consummate professionals I have ever come across. Combined with an array of diligent and dedicated Moderators and assessors, it is this group of members that I will miss the most. Many of these individuals have tirelessly supported the Institute’s examinations process for my 11 years, some even longer. Others are more recent recruits. Many started out as Institute members… names in a database. The majority ended up as friends.

Although my new adventure with Callophrys Tree Consultancy will provide me with the opportunity to keep in touch with a great many of you, I will most certainly miss the camaraderie of the Professional Interviews next November.