SHE was once a stage manager in theatre and opera. Now, a Scottish forester hopes to lift the curtain on attracting more women into forestry after winning her place on a new training programme. 

Ros Wardman fought off stiff competition to win a place on the UK-wide Emerging Leader Programme, a scheme being run by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) that aims to develop future leaders in the industry.

READ MORE: Scottish Forestry chiefs to cover costs for 10 places on ICF's new leadership programme

With a 36-strong cohort and the first edition now underway, the six-month course will equip forestry professionals with the right skills to ensure trees, forests and woodlands are managed to deliver multiple benefits, well into the future.

Ros, a forest industries advisor with Scottish Forestry, said: “I’m really looking forward to working with other forestry professionals from all over UK to develop understanding and solutions to the challenges faced by forestry.

“A huge focus for me is to improve learning about how to increase diversity within the forestry workforce, with particular emphasis on attracting more women into the sector.

“We female foresters need to be more visible and we need to enable and encourage more people to know about the wide range of fulfilling career opportunities available in the forest industry." 

For the last 14 years, Ros has worked in operational forestry in the south and central Scotland, and studied at the National School of Forestry in Cumbria. 

Ros, who lives in Peebles, added: “I’m also keen to show that people can change careers into forestry from totally different professions. I used to work as a freelance stage manager in theatre and opera which is a world away from forestry, but there are always skills you can bring to a new career." 

Other successful applicants to the course include Michelle Ryan, chair of the Arboricultural Association; the Welsh Government's Patrick Cowdy; and Ben Anderson from the Duchy of Cornwall. 

Louise Simpson, executive director of the ICF, said: “We’re delighted to announce the successful applicants for the Emerging Leader Programme.

"These future forestry leaders will undertake a comprehensive programme of activities that will ensure they are equipped to deal with the challenges of woodland planting targets, climate change mitigation, the biodiversity crisis and more.

"The programme will deliver a skilled and strongly interconnected cohort of tree professionals with the leadership skills to drive the sector forward and navigate future challenges.”

Highlighting the importance of developing the sector’s future leaders and helping address the ongoing skills shortage, places on the programme have been funded by several sector organisations across the UK. The Trees Call to Action Fund, delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, provided funding for 15 places for England-based applicants while Scottish Forestry and the Welsh Government provided funding for ten places each for Scotland and Wales-based applicants.

The full list of applicants can be viewed on the ICF website.