Paul Brannen
Biography
Paul Brannen is an experienced leader in public affairs, sustainability and advocacy, with a career spanning senior roles across European institutions, industry bodies and the charity sector.
Since 2020, Paul has served as Public Affairs Director for the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries, the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry, and the UK Confederation of Timber Industries, where he has been a prominent voice on forestry, construction timber and climate policy.
He previously represented the Northeast of England as a Labour Member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019, where he focused on environmental policy, sustainable land use and climate change. Before entering elected office, Paul held senior leadership roles at Christian Aid, serving as Head of Advocacy and Influence and later as Head of England North and Central from 2006 to 2014.
Paul has also contributed to academia as Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University Business School (2022-2023) and served as President of Leeds University Union (1986-1987).
He holds an MBA from Durham University (2004) and a BA (Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Leeds (1986).
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.