Governance structure

A diagram which shows the advisory board and disputes panel advises executive board which reports into the nature markets strategy board. The secretariat supports and liaises with all board and panels.

Nature Markets Strategy Board

The Nature Markets Strategy Board is responsible for guiding the strategic and operational development of the Woodland Carbon Code in line with the memorandum of understanding on cross-border provision of forestry functions and research delivery. 

Read the Nature Market Strategy Board terms of reference

Name Job title Organisation
Richard Stanford (chair until spring 2026)Chief Executive OfficerForestry Commission
Paul Lowe Chief Executive OfficerScottish Forestry 
Naomi MatthiessenDeputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and ForestryWelsh Government 
John Joe O’BoyleChief Executive OfficerNorthern Ireland Forest Service
Pat Snowdon (technical support)Head of Economics and Woodland Carbon CodeScottish Forestry

Executive Board

Executive Board is the executive body responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the programme, including its application, promotion and technical development. 

Read the Executive Board terms of reference

 Name  Organisation
Dr Pat Snowdon Scottish Forestry (UK management team)
Dr Vicky West Scottish Forestry (UK management team)
Andrew Baker Scottish Forestry (UK management team)
Dr Mark BroadmeadowForestry Commission
Jamie SmithScottish Forestry
Fiona HayWelsh Government
Ben SearleNorthern Ireland Forest Service

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board provides advice and expertise on the operation, promotion and development of the Woodland Carbon Code.

Read the Advisory Board terms of reference

Stakeholder group NameOrganisation
Government

Emily Petrie

Peter Coleman

Defra

BEIS

Forestry representative bodies

(two-yearly term ending summer 2027)

Robert South

Dr Kate Palmer

Institute of Chartered Foresters

Confor

Landowner representative bodies

(two-yearly term ending summer 2027)

Matthew DoranCountry, Land and Business Association
Academia/ research 

Ewan Mackie

Vacant

Forest Research

Vacant

Other standard setters

Peter Wilson

Renée Kervliet-Hermans

Nick Blyth

UK Woodland Assurance Standard/Wilson Applied Consultancy

UK Peatland Code

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

Validators/ verifiers

Andy Grundy

Steve Clarkson 

Soil Association

Organic Farmers and Growers

Project developers

(two-year term ending summer 2025)

James Russell

Emma Kerr

Forest of Marston Vale Trust

Scottish Woodlands Ltd

Buyers/ investors  

(two-year term ending summer 2025)

Bruce Kennedy (end-user)

Areeb Arshad

Robert Guest

Boston Consulting Group (end-user)

ACT (retail aggregator)

Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company Plc and Foresight Group (investor)

Disputes Panel

The disputes panel deals with any disputes relating to the interpretation of the standard.

Read the Disputes Panel terms of reference

If you have an issue to bring to the panel, please complete the disputes claimant form and email it to info@woodlandcarboncode.org.uk

If you have a complaint about the standard of service from validation/verification bodies or disputes about the decision made by a validation/verification body, direct your complaint to the dispute process of the relevant validation/verification body in the first instance. 

Any complaints about the conduct of Scottish Forestry staff members should follow our standard complaints procedure.

NameBoardOrganisation
Peter Wilson (Chair)Advisory BoardWilson Applied Consultancy
Stuart GoodallAdvisory BoardConfederation of Forest Industries
Dr Pat SnowdonExecutive BoardScottish Forestry
Dr Mark BroadmeadowExecutive BoardForestry Commission

Secretariat

The Woodland Carbon Code secretariat function is provided by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Before April 2019, it was managed by the Forestry Commission.

Members of the Woodland Carbon Code team complete a declaration of interest form identifying any potential employment, financial or board member conflict of interest of the employee or their family and friends. This is reviewed annually. Declarations are reviewed by the relevant line manager and mitigating actions agreed. These are reviewed by the head of economics and Woodland Carbon Code team.

Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for forestry policy, support and regulation. 

A hierarchy diagram showing the Woodland Carbon Code team reporting into the senior operational manager and senior development manager who report to the head of the code.

Board minutes

Read the minutes from our Nature Market Strategy Board, Executive Board and Advisory Board meetings.

Board minutes

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