Scottish Forestry has announced that its new Chief Executive is to be Dr David Signorini.

Currently Deputy Director in the Scottish Government’s Housing and Social Justice Directorate and Head of the Better Homes division, Dr Signorini will take up his duties in mid-December for a hand-over period with outgoing Chief Executive, Jo O’Hara.

David said;

“I am really pleased to be joining Scottish Forestry.

“The opportunity to join an organisation that is less than a year old, but which has a century of experience and knowledge behind it is very exciting, particularly given the importance of Scottish Forestry’s role in the forestry industry and in helping to deliver Scotland’s Climate Change Action Plan.

“I'm very much looking forward to meeting and working with Scottish Forestry’s professional and knowledgeable staff and stakeholders. I would also like to thank Jo O’Hara for all the great work she has done during her tenure, particularly in guiding the organisation through a period of transition.

“Thanks to her efforts, and the efforts of all of the team at Scottish Forestry, I come into the role with a solid foundation upon which to build.”

Dr Signorini has a wealth of Scottish Government experience and has a track record of leadership, relationship building, working closely with Ministers and stakeholders and delivering results across many complex and high profile policy areas.

David will take up his new post from Monday 16 December.

Notes to editors

1. On 1st April 2019, the devolution of forestry to Scottish Ministers was completed. With the new arrangements, Forestry Commission Scotland was replaced by a new Scottish Government agency called Scottish Forestry.
2. Scottish Forestry is responsible for delivering Scottish Ministers’ forestry policy, regulation, grants incentives, technical forestry advice and new cross border arrangements.
3. www.forestry.gov.scot | www.twitter.com/ScotForestry
4. Media enquiries to Steve Williams, Senior Media Manager, Scottish Forestry Media Office 0131 370 5065 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.