Shireen Chambers MBE

Chief Executive

Shireen studied forestry and soil science at Bangor University and has a wealth of knowledge and senior leadership experience of the forestry sector. In 2019 she was appointed MBE for her contribution to the industry. Before joining us, she was Executive Director of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. She has also held a number of non-executive appointments over the years, including Chair of Tree Aid Board of Trustees.

Ailsa Watson

Finance & Operations Manager

Ailsa has worked in IT, finance and management roles in the creative, cultural and third sectors for 25 years. With a background in sculpture and software, she enjoys being a generalist and looking at things askew. Based in Dumfries & Galloway, she is currently studying for an MSc in Forestry at Bangor University. In her spare time she hikes and swims with her beloved dog and creates things in a shared studio.

Kieran Leigh-Moy

Future Woodlands Manager

Kieran is our Future Woodlands Manager, working to develop and deliver our Future Woodlands programme. He has an MSc in Forest & Nature Conservation from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and has several years’ experience working in ecological research and forestry. He lives in Aberdeen and is a keen surfer, swimmer and dance music enthusiast.

Des Hackett

Urban Forestry Manager

Des has a background in the Irish civil service where he worked on a range of public policy issues. Since moving to Edinburgh, he has completed a postgraduate diploma in countryside management. Des pursued his interest in environmental issues through working on greenspace development at the City of Edinburgh Council before joining us. During his free time, Des enjoys getting out and about with his family and falling off his stand up paddle board.

Hilary Galloway

Communications Manager

Hilary is a communications specialist with more than 20 years in the industry. Over the years, she has worked with some of the UK’s leading companies and charities. Her love of the natural world began at an early age, while growing up on a hillside farm in Dumfries and Galloway. As Future Woodlands Scotland’s first Communications Manager, Hilary is excited to be playing a small part in a nationwide effort to create and conserve Scotland’s native woodlands.

Emma Razi

Fundraising Manager

Emma has over 15 years of experience fundraising for Scottish charities. During this time, she has created successful strategies for environmental, health, and social projects. Her appreciation for nature deepened during lockdown as she explored her local area. Now, as Future Woodlands Scotland’s Fundraising Manager, she is proud to help build a greener Scotland for wildlife, communities, and the climate.

David McCall

Chair

Dave has over 30 years’ international business and leadership experience. He concentrates his efforts on being a strong people leader, well organised, collaborative and strategic. He is extremely passionate about looking after our urban and rural landscapes, and is always happiest when he’s being active outdoors.

Charlie Taylor

Vice Chair

Charlie recently retired as the Strategic Planning Manager for Forestry and Land Scotland. Before that, he spent nearly 30 years managing the national forests in Angus, Perthshire and north-east Fife. He lives in Perthshire and enjoys travelling to experience different cultures, cycling, hill-walking and learning Gaelic.

Neil Forrest

Treasurer

Neil is a Scottish Chartered Accountant, who trained with PwC in the late 1980s, then followed a career in banking, consultancy, business advisory and project management. Neil is married, has two grown up sons and lives near Edinburgh, where he enjoys travel and the great outdoors.

Giles Mackey

Trustee

Giles is a chartered environmentalist with over 20 years of experience and is passionate about driving positive change within the energy sector and broader society. He is a keen cyclist, loves travelling and exploring the outdoors with his family in their campervan.

Sarah Nicholas

Trustee

Sarah is Carbon Projects Manager at Forestry and Land Scotland. With an MSc in Environment and Development, Sarah spent seven years working in corporate sustainability communications before becoming a policy advisor at Defra. Sarah now lives in the north Highlands where she enjoys long walks and empty beaches.

Celia Brady

Trustee

Celia is a charity fundraiser who has worked in the environmental and conservation sector for over 30 years. She has raised funds for many of Scotland’s most exciting landscape, woodland and wildlife projects and is currently the Head of Fundraising at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. She loves being outside in nature and long walks in the hills and forests of Scotland.

Alastair Seaman

Trustee

Alastair is Scotland Director for The Woodland Trust, leading a team dedicated to creating, protecting and restoring native woodland across Scotland for the benefit of people and planet. He has a background in forestry and has worked in environment, community, business and charitable sectors in Scotland and internationally.

Paulina McPadden

Trustee

Paulina is an investment manager with Baillie Gifford, and lives with her husband in Edinburgh where they run a supperclub in their spare time. She is happiest travelling or enjoying the outdoors with their dog. 

Naomi Spiro

Trustee