CEnv Profile | Peter Wilson BSc (Wales) MSc (Oxon) FICFor CEnv

What does an average day look like in your career?

These days it’s mostly screen based so I relish face-to-face meetings with groups seeking solutions to a range of challenges. At other points in my career, my days were very different. I spent >4 years as a tropical forester mainly focused on nursery and tree establishment research for the reforesting of logged rainforest sites. After that I spent 16 years in industry bodies representing the interests of timber growers and the forest industry.

How did you get to where you are now?

I took a degree in forestry at Bangor University before winning a UK government studentship from the then Overseas Development Administration. This involved a year’s practical experience in Jamaica on a pine plantation project followed by a year taking a Masters degree in forestry at Oxford University. The next 3.5 years were spent as a researcher on reforestation in the western Solomon Islands which was quite an adventure and a hugely important part of my life.

Whilst tempted to continue in the tropics, I decided to return to the UK to work in the policy world. Initially, I worked for the Timber Growers Association and ended up as its CEO and later as Executive Director of the pan-industry Forest Industries Development Council. It was a fascinating 16 years during which the forestry sector moved from being at loggerheads with environmental bodies to embracing sustainability principles. It was a privilege to have been able to influence this transition.

Since 2004, I have run my own consultancy, Wilson Applied Consultancy, largely focusing on supporting sector NGOs and developing and managing certification standards.

In what ways does your role consider and protect the environment?

Sustainability has always been at the core of my work. From developing reforestation techniques in the humid tropics to the transition of UK forestry’s acceptance of the need to embrace economic, environmental and social aspects in forest management.

I have played a key role in the development of sustainability standards; these include the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), the Sustainable Biomass Program and UK Woodland Carbon Code certification standards. I chair the UKWAS revision working group.

How has your focus on environmental impacts changed over the course of your career?

My early career was hands on field-based research work. Later work was very different, representing the forestry sector’s policy interests and the development of certification standards which is very much forestry in the abstract.

Ultimately, I feel forestry practice in the UK has embraced the three pillars of sustainability which is a cause of great satisfaction. I was honoured to receive the ICF’s highest award, The Institute’s Medal, in 2023 in recognition of my work.

What are the top three key knowledge areas that are crucial to your role?

• Technical knowledge – combined with political acumen.
• Facilitation skills – consensus building.
• Out of the box thinking – solution oriented.

What part of your role do you find the most exciting?

I’m not sure that ‘exciting’ is the word but giving back to my profession through being an ICF trustee and examinations assessor is very satisfying.

What are your 3 top tips for those applying for CEnv?

As a CEnv assessor, I find that it is the simple things that people so often get wrong!

• Understand the requirements – read and read them again!
• Be sure you meet the requirements – CEnv is a Masters level qualification.
• Don’t rush your application – check spelling, grammar and readability.

Why would you encourage others in your sector to aspire to become a CEnv?

Being a Chartered Environmentalist shows that you have a depth and breadth of knowledge that extends beyond your core specialisms.