RURAL real estate agency, Savills, has strengthened its team in the north of England with the appointment of a new head of forestry.

Wayne Scurrah, who has more than 30 years' experience in the industry, will head up the forestry team in the north of England, with responsibility for advising clients including rural estates, farmers, public bodies and commercial forestry investors, on all aspects of commercial forestry and woodland management.

Mr Scurrah has also been appointed as a director for the company.

Prior to setting up his own company at the start of the millennium, which he later sold to an overseas buyer in 2016, Wayne held the position of senior forest manager for Parkwood Holdings.

He has also worked as a forestry consultant, managing clients’ woodland portfolios throughout the north of the country, and was most recently managing the development of a harvesting programme on underdeveloped woodlands for Stobart Forestry.

Wayne said: "I am delighted to be joining one of the largest in-house forestry teams in the UK.

"With many years’ experience in forestry and woodland management throughout the north, I am excited to be leading the team across the region."

Wayne’s appointment bolsters the team operating from the international real estate advisor’s York office and comes less than a year since the arrival of Simon Rochester as senior forestry manager, who also services the north of England.

David Goodson, head of the rural, energy and projects division for Savills in the north, commented: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Wayne to the team.

"He has an extensive background in management and contracting within the woodland and vegetation management sectors, which will be of great benefit to our client base.

"His broad ranging experience, coupled with a strong understanding of upland farming issues, perfectly complements our existing capabilities and further enhances the service we can provide our clients."

Savills’ Research in April showed that the value of the UK forestry investment market was just over £121 million during 2019, while analysis of the 2019 sales data showed the average gross forest value increased by 17 per cent to £9,900 per hectare.

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