New director of forestry at Soil Association

Soil Association Certification has appointed Meriel Robson (pictured) to replace Kevin Jones as its new forestry director of forestry.

Ms Robson brings with her a wealth of experience in the forest management sector. She has been instrumental in the accreditation and delivery of the Soil Association’s forestry certification schemes.

Soil Association Certification Forestry has seen a significant amount of growth in recent years, with certificate numbers doubling since 2016. The team is also involved in the rapidly growing carbon sequestration and avoided emissions sector.

It is currently offering validation and verification to two schemes in the UK dedicated to the responsible and transparent monitoring of carbon sequestration – the Woodland Carbon Code and the Peatland Code.

Soil Association Certification chief executive Dominic Robinson said: “Meriel will lead a well-established and growing certification business, as well as develop and innovate in the growing climate, ecosystem services and forest risk commodity sectors.”

The appointment follows the retirement of Kevin Jones after 25 years at the helm of Soil Association Certification’s forestry business. During that time, the team has grown to more than 50 staff and provides training worldwide.

Soil Association Certification says it now certifies more than 26 million hectares of forest worldwide.