Introducing Olivia Weaver as our new Managing Director
We're delighted to announce the appointment of Olivia Weaver as the new Managing Director of Focus on Forestry First! Having been part of Focus on Forestry First since 2017, Olivia knows our business inside out.
Having joined us as a Project Manager, helping to launch our Skills Development and Knowledge Transfer Programmes, she has since played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the business.From leading communications and our Knowledge Transfer Programme to developing new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, building industry partnerships and joining our Board of Directors in 2023, Olivia has been instrumental in our growth!
Forestry is far more than a career for Olivia – it's something that's been part of her life from the very beginning and is truly in her blood. Growing up in a family with deep roots in the trees, timber and training sectors, she developed a passion for the industry from an early age. Although her career initially took her into marketing and communications, forestry has always remained a constant.
After graduating with two BA (Hons) degrees in Design and Digital Media, Olivia spent six years leading a creative studio, managing a team of 11 and delivering national and international marketing projects. This experience has given her valuable skills in leadership, communications, and project management, which she has since brought together with her passion for forestry and her understanding of the industry.
Speaking about her appointment, Olivia said:
"Stepping into the role of Managing Director feels like a very natural progression, and I'm genuinely excited about what comes next. Richard has helped build incredibly strong foundations for the business, and I'm proud to be taking the lead as he begins to step back into his new role.
"He's been an incredible mentor to me for many years. When I first joined Focus on Forestry First, my mum was Managing Director and Richard became my line manager. I absolutely loved working alongside Mum, but having Richard as my manager gave me the opportunity to develop professionally in my own right and learn from someone with such a wealth of forestry and training experience – 40 years to be exact!"It's incredibly special to now be leading the business that grew from the foundations my mum helped create. Whilst we've evolved significantly over the years, I feel very proud to be continuing that legacy and helping shape our next chapter.
"With a strong understanding of both the history of our business and the future needs of the forestry sector, Olivia is excited to continue building on the work already underway. Her ambition is to ensure that we remain a leading provider of technical forestry CPD for managers and supervisors, continually developing training that responds to the real challenges and skills gaps faced by the industry.
One of the things Olivia enjoys most about her work at Focus on Forestry First is working with people across the sector to understand where support is needed and bringing the right people together to develop practical learning opportunities. This connection with the industry is something she will continue to build on in her new role as Managing Director, helping us to keep our training closely aligned with the needs of those working in forestry.
Alongside her role, Olivia is also a member of FISA's Forestry Works Manager Working Group and the Forestry Skills Forum, where she works with colleagues from across the industry, sharing ideas and helping shape the future of forestry skills and professional development.Congratulations to Olivia on her appointment as our new Managing Director.
We’re thrilled to see her take on this role and wish her every success as she leads Focus on Forestry First into our next chapter. We’d also like to say a huge thank you to Richard Siddons for his leadership, support, and the wealth of experience he has shared over the years. His contribution has helped shape our business into what it is today, and we’re delighted that his knowledge and experience will continue to be part of our journey in his new role as Director.
Everyone at Focus on Forestry First is excited to see what the future holds and we’re looking forward to continuing our work with the forestry and arboriculture sectors, supporting the people working in the industry today and helping to develop the skills needed for generations to come.