We are really delighted to welcome Amanda Bryan BEng(Hons) MSc MEd MICFor CF to our trustee board.
Amanda is a Chartered Forester, Lecturer at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness and an independent consultant working in the fields of forestry, natural capital and communities. With over 25 years’ experience in the forestry sector with twelve of those in forestry education Amanda will be able to support Sylva’s work in skills, education and training. From 2020-2024 Amanda served 4 years as Executive Director of The Scottish Forestry Trust so also has considerable experience in charity governance. Her other roles include Board Member of the Port of Cromarty Firth and independent advisor to Par Forestry IV (a forestry investment fund). Some of Amanda’s previous roles include Chair of Crown Estate Scotland, Forestry Commissioner for Scotland (and Chair of National Committee Scotland) and Board Member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in addition to non-exec and advisory roles with Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot), Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Ofcom and the BBC.
Commenting about her appointment, Amanda said:
“I am genuinely delighted to be joining the Board of Trustees of Sylva Foundation whose work contributes so much to woodland owners and those seeking careers in using timber. There’s a lot of overlap between Sylva’s work and my own in terms of trying to bring more people into the forestry and timber sectors so I’m really looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees and the Sylva Team to help bring their work to a wider audience.”
