Ian Baker (Social Chamber)
Ian is a researcher and consultant in rural development, forestry, evaluation and related areas. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR), where his research interests focus on social aspects of woodland management and ownership.
Ian sits on a number of UK forestry bodies, including the Programme Advisory Group for Forest Research’s Citizen Science programme, ForestLab, and the Forestry Commission’s Forestry and Woodland Advisory Committee for the West Midlands. He also sits on Illegal Felling Reference Committees, which advise Defra ministers on such cases.
Ian was, from 2016-2024, the Chief Executive of the UK Small Woods Association, a membership organisation, supporting small woodland owners and managers across the UK; to whom he remains an Honorary Advisor. Previously, he was Head of Rural Economy at Defra.
Over 15 years in private consultancy work he has delivered a wide range of rural development and evaluation projects, including working with Slow Food International for 10 years, building their monitoring and evaluation capacity. He also spent several years living and working in Bosnia & Herzegovina and the wider Balkans, delivering training, evaluation, strategy & programme development. Prior to establishing his consultancy company, Catalys, Ian held a variety of environment and rural development roles at Countryside Commission/Agency, Regional Development Agency and the National Trust.
“It is great to be joining FSC at such an important time for the world’s forests. I believe that FSC can drive fair and sustainable trade in wood and wood products at a time when our forest resources are under unprecedented threats from so many different directions. Its approach to standard setting that seeks to place economic, social and environmental concerns on an equal footing is in my view the only way to go in the long term. If I can play a part in helping to ensure that FSC can continue to be a force for good in these tumultuous times, it will be effort well spent.”
Julia Griffin (Economic Chamber)
Julia Griffin is Kingfisher’s Offer and Sourcing team’s Group Wood and Paper Manager. Kingfisher Plc operates over 1,900 stores in seven countries in Europe. Its main retail brands are B&Q UK, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. Currently leads an international team, working towards industry leading levels of Sustainable Timber procurement and reporting. Julia is also leading the development of Kingfishers solutions to EUDR reporting.
Julia has worked in Kingfisher for over 20 years and has first-hand experience of the practicalities and challenges associated with implementing and adhering to a responsible timber sourcing policy and timber regulations.
"Becoming an FSC UK trustee allows Kingfisher to influence forest stewardship and contribute to a more sustainable future. It's a way to use our expertise for public good and support a cause we care about by helping to ensure the integrity and resilience of the FSC system and promote responsible forest management."