Forestry Australia Appoints New Leadership Team
The organisation confirms Leon Holt as president following its recent Annual General Meeting in Canberra.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People
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Forestry Australia has appointed Leon Holt as president, with Lyndall Bull and Rod Keenan named as vice presidents. The leadership transition follows the retirement of Michelle Freeman and Bill Jackson.
Why it matters
These appointments mark a significant milestone in the succession planning for the organisation. The new board aims to guide the group through its next phase of industry representation.
The new leadership team includes directors with extensive industry backgrounds, highlighted by Phil Lacy, who brings 30 years of forestry consulting experience to the board.
The players
Leon Holt
He is the newly appointed president of Forestry Australia and a recipient of the 2019 Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry.
Louise Bourke
She serves as the Head of Fibre Strategy at HVP Plantations and holds a Bachelor of Forest Science and an Executive MBA.
Phil Lacy
He is a veteran forestry consultant with over 30 years of experience and holds a PhD in fire behaviour.
Lyndall Bull
She is one of the newly appointed vice presidents of Forestry Australia.
Rod Keenan
He has been appointed as a vice president of Forestry Australia.
The details
Louise Bourke and Phil Lacy were elected as directors during the meeting held in Canberra. The board conducted the appointments as part of a structured succession process following the departure of previous leadership.
Timeline
Forestry Australia held its Annual General Meeting in October 2026.
Leon Holt received the Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry in 2019.
Market Landscape
The appointment of this leadership team reflects a broader trend of professionalising industry governance in the Australian forestry sector. This shift ensures the organisation remains competitive and aligned with standards like the Australian Forestry Standard.
Industry members and stakeholders can expect a continuation of current advocacy programmes under the new board. The leadership transition maintains stability for those engaged with the organisation's ongoing forestry initiatives.
The takeaway
The new board composition reflects a move toward integrating deep technical expertise with strategic industry management. Organisations benefit from succession planning that prioritises individuals with both long-term industry experience and advanced academic credentials.
Further reading
For more information on sector leadership, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Timberbiz.
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