John Varley
Biography
John Varley is Chief Executive of Clinton Devon Estates, where he oversees 1,900 hectares of multi-purpose woodland delivering biodiversity, recreation and landscape benefits alongside commercial timber production. He previously held senior management roles at BT plc in its global and field operations divisions.
He has served on the Environment Agency Board and the Natural England Board and contributed to the Lawton Review (Making Space for Nature) and the Independent Forestry Panel. He chaired the ‘Varley Review’ on how the UK’s railway can deliver for nature and people safely. John was a member of the Steering Group for the Royal Society’s Living Landscapes Programme and has chaired the Estates Business Group.
Forestry Commissioner
Forestry Commissioners have a number of specific statutory duties and powers, summarised in the Forestry Act as:
- promoting the interests of forestry
- the development of afforestation
- the production and supply of timber and other forest products
In practice, these mainly relate to providing incentives (grants), regulation though controls on felling, plant health issues and managing the public forest estate.
The Commissioners have a legal duty to seek a reasonable balance between the production and supply of timber and the interests of conservation. In promoting the multiple benefits of forestry, they also seek to take careful account of people’s needs and wishes, including local communities.