In 2020, CEO Dr Gabriel Hemery was jointly awarded, with Professor Julian Evans, the Peter Savill Award for contributions to the British forestry industry.

Peter’s widow Michelle Savill recently visited the Sylva Wood Centre to hand over the beautiful prize, turned from a piece of walnut burr. The great silviculturist Dr Peter Savill served as a trustee of Sylva Foundation since the charity’s inception and later as its Chair of trustees. Gabriel first worked with Peter when they collaborated in establishing the British & Irish Hardwoods Improvement Programme (which later became a charity in its own right, the Future Trees Trust), and he supervised Gabriel’s DPhil at the University of Oxford. The pair continued to work closely together, running field trials, co-authoring research papers, and supporting the work of various charities.

Dr Gabriel Hemery, CEO Sylva Foundation, receiving the Savill Award from Michelle Savill at the Sylva Wood Centre

The prize is awarded each year by Woodland Heritage, and was first awarded in 2007. Read more: www.woodlandheritage.org/awards