Woodland Heritage is delighted to welcome three new trustees!
Clare O’Reilly, Huw Davies and John Deakin join the board of Trustees of Woodland Heritage. Clare & Huw are co-chairs of the board of trustees and you can learn more about Clare, Huw and John below.
Clare O’Reilly
Clare is Conservation Manager for Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) overseeing all central Surrey nature reserves including the majority of the woodland estate. A former award-winning Countryside, Access, and Mountain Ranger, Clare has worked in the environmental sector since 2019 when she changed careers from international humanitarian landmine clearance, armed violence reduction, and child protection.
Huw Davies
I grew up in Swansea, with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. I studied Forestry at UCNW Bangor 1979-1982 then joined the Forestry Commission. In the Forestry Commission, I had a spell in research at Alice Holt where I specialised in Broadleaf silviculture, farm woodlands and agroforestry. I was then seconded to ADAS/MAFF as their woodlands expert, leading a team of advisers specialising in all sorts of tree work. I then moved back to FC operational work in the English Midlands, setting up several Community Forests, followed by several years in Wales, in charge of Private Woodland matters. I then moved to North East England as Regional Director for the Countryside Agency, before we merged into Natural England where I spent 20 years, mainly on environmental access and funding work.
John Deakin
I have been professional forestry for all of my career which unbelievably has now spanned over 25 years working for forest management companies, major land owners and now as Head of Trees & Woodlands at the National Trust. Trees have given me amazing opportunities throughout my life and their role in helping society tackle some of the biggest issues of our time has never been more important.