THE National Forest Company has announced the appointment of Sir William Worsley as its new chairman.

Sir William, a businessman, farmer and forester who runs Hovingham Estate, takes over from Catherine Graham-Harrison OBE, whose term of office comes to an end this month.

The National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, the biggest environmentally-led regeneration project in the country. The forest spans 200 square miles of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and includes the former Midlands coalfield.

Sir William joins the National Forest Company at a significant point in the Forest’s development: over eight and a half million trees have been planted; forest cover has more than trebled from six per cent in the early 1990s to 20 per cent, roughly double the average for the country; and in 2016 the Forest celebrates its 25th anniversary.

He will help to lead the next phase of the forest’s development, with a focus on increasing management of woodlands, growing economic benefits through tourism and woodland industries, and improving quality of life for communities.

Sir William brings a wealth of experience to the role, as a former president of the CLA, the Country Land and Business Association, a member and former chairman of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Advisory Committee, and former member of the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission’s Advisory Panel. He is passionate about forestry, and his woods at Hovingham have won many awards for forestry and conservation.

Sir William said: “I am delighted to be joining the National Forest Company at such an important time. The National Forest may cover 200 square miles of the midlands, but it really is a success story for the whole country and shows just how woods and trees can transform the landscape, economy and communities. The progress of The National Forest over the last 25 years has been phenomenal, and I look forward to helping lead it in the next stage of its development.”

Catherine Graham-Harrison said: “I can’t imagine a better person to take on the role of helping lead the National Forest Company in its next stage. William brings great experience from his own estate, making his own woodlands work, which is such an important part of developing the economy here in The National Forest. The NFC will also benefit from his knowledge and insight into the national picture of how landscape, business, people and wildlife all interact. I am delighted to be passing the baton of chairman onto him.”

Three new trustees have also been appointed to the National Forest Company Board, to take effect from April 1: Jack Buckner, chief executive at British Triathlon; Suzanne Carr, vice-chairman of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust; and Dr Tony Ballance, director of strategy and regulation at Severn Trent Water.