George McRobbie to step down as Managing Director of Tilhill Forestry

An Announcement by Martin Gale, Chairman of the BSW Timber Group

After seven years of service, George McRobbie has announced his intention to step down as Managing Director of Tilhill Forestry. George will therefore be leaving the business on his 65th Birthday which falls on 7th October.

However, George is not announcing his retirement. He will continue as a Director within the BSW Group but will, in future, be based at Group Headquarters in Earlston instead of Tilhill’s Head Office in Stirling. George will continue as a Director of BSW Timber Limited and as a Non-Executive Director of Maelor Forest Nurseries Holdings Ltd. He will also continue his representation of BSW on the Board of the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor).

With over 40 years in forestry, George is one of the industry’s most knowledgeable and experienced figures. BSW Timber Ltd is therefore delighted that he wishes to continue his extensive career by remaining with us to focus his attentions at Group level.

Of his announcement, George said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Tilhill’s MD for the past 7 years but the time has come for me to hand over the reins to younger blood. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Tilhill Forestry and I like to think that I have played a part in the transformation of the business since I first joined the Tilhill Board back in 2001. There are exciting opportunities for me to develop elsewhere in the BSW Group and I am relishing that new challenge.”

It is with pleasure that we can announce that George’s successor will be Gavin Adkins who will take over as Managing Director on 7th October 2019. Tilhill Forestry’s Board of Directors will otherwise remain unchanged.

Gavin began his career qualifying as a CIMA Accountant within FMCG food manufacturing industry before broadening his experience base when he joined the timber industry in 2002, spending 10 years in panelboard manufacture in both financial and procurement roles. Gavin was Chairman of the Wood Panel Industry Federation from 2008 to 2012.

In 2013 Gavin joined BSW Timber as Purchasing Director and subsequently joined the Tilhill Forestry Board as Commercial Director upon acquisition by BSW in 2015. Gavin brings to the role a broad range of commercial experience and a sustained record of success in the forestry products marketplace.

BSW Group CEO Tony Hackney said: “I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks to George who has, throughout his 7 years as Managing Director, guided Tilhill Forestry with a steady hand to make it the Company it is today. I also wish to congratulate Gavin on his new appointment. It is undoubtedly a significant role at the best of times but particularly more so in the challenging market conditions we are all currently experiencing. However, it is also a role that also brings significant opportunities to build the Tilhill Forestry business, aided by renewed National Government commitments to promote forestry in general and tree planting in particular.
 
“I’m sure that Gavin’s enthusiasm and determination will enable him to continue to build upon Tilhill’s success. I am also pleased to be able to continue working with George and utilising the wealth of knowledge he brings to BSW of the forest industry. I wish both George and Gavin every success in their roles.”