THE new chief executive for Scottish Forestry has been announced as Dr David Signorini.

Currently deputy director in the Scottish Government’s Housing and Social Justice Directorate and head of the Better Homes division, Dr Signorini will take up his duties in mid December for a handover period with outgoing chief executive Jo O’Hara.

David said: “I am really pleased to be joining Scottish Forestry.

“The opportunity to join an organisation that is less than a year old, but which has a century of experience and knowledge behind it, is very exciting, particularly given the importance of Scottish Forestry’s role in the forestry industry and in helping to deliver Scotland’s climate change action plan.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting and working with Scottish Forestry’s professional and knowledgeable staff and stakeholders. I would also like to thank Jo O’Hara for all the great work she has done during her tenure, particularly in guiding the organisation through a period of transition.

“Thanks to her efforts, and the efforts of all of the team at Scottish Forestry, I come into the role with a solid foundation upon which to build.”

Dr Signorini has a wealth of Scottish Government experience and has a track record of leadership, relationship building, working closely with ministers and stakeholders and delivering results across many complex and high-profile policy areas.

He will take up his new post from Monday, 16 December.