Dr Pendlebury, aged 47, was head of the Forestry Commission's team of specialist advisors and has had a distinguished career in research, management and market development in the timber and forestry sectors in several countries.

He brings a wide range of experience to the post. He holds a BSc Honours degree in forestry from Aberdeen University, and was awarded a PhD from the same university for a thesis on the preservation characteristics of tropical hardwood species from Malaysia.

He has held timber research positions in several countries, including the UK, United States, South Africa and New Zealand. He has been head of the TNO Centre for Timber Research in The Netherlands and more recently Chief Executive of Highland Birchwoods in Scotland. Since joining the Forestry Commission six years ago he has held several posts, including business policy advisor for Forestry Commission Scotland and a period on secondment to the Scottish Government’s Renewable Policy Team.