GEORGE McRobbie is to step down as managing director of Tilhill Forestry, it has been announced.

Mr McRobbie, who has held the post for seven years, intends to step down on his 65th birthday, which falls on 7 October.

Gavin Adkins will take over as managing director on that date. Adkins joined BSW Timber in 2013 as purchasing director and subsequently joined the Tilhill board as commercial director following its acquisition by BSW two years later.

Despite stepping down as MD, Mr McRobbie has said he is not retiring. He will continue as a director within the BSW Group, and will be based at the Group HQ in Earlston instead of Tilhill’s head office in Stirling.

He commented: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Tilhill’s MD for the past seven 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.”

BSW Group CEO Tony Hackney added: “I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks to George who has, throughout his seven 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 brings significant opportunities to build the Tilhill Forestry business, aided by renewed national government commitments to promote forestry 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, utilising the wealth of knowledge he brings to BSW of the forest industry. I wish both George and Gavin every success in their roles.”