One of Britain's longest-serving head foresters is retiring after 27 years.

John Wilding MBE has been at the helm of Clinton Devon Estates' forestry and reserves, overseeing 1,900 hectares of woodland and leading the National Nature Reserves Team on East Devon's Pebblebed Heaths and Otter Estuary.

He has been instrumental in steering a significant change in woodland management to tackle challenges such as tree disease and climate change.

John Varley, the estate's chief executive, said: "John Wilding has been absolutely central to the smooth running of the estate over many years.

"He will be much missed.

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"His dedication and expertise in forestry have helped enormously in meeting our aims of running a financially sustainable operation in a way that cares for the environment and always looks to the future."

Mr Wilding will be succeeded by Rob Coventry, who joins the estate from a private forest management and consultancy business on the Wiltshire-Somerset border.

Mr Coventry will inherit a commercially sustainable woodland operation, with a focus on growing quality timber for various applications.

He said: "I am really looking forward to getting to know the woodland – and, of course, the people and working with the team – I couldn’t really ask for a better team to come to."

Mr Coventry is a chartered forester who studied forest and nature management in Germany and Denmark before working in various roles across research and policy with the Forestry Commission.

John Wilding MBE has been at the helm of Clinton Devon Estates' forestry and reserves, overseeing 1,900 hectares of woodland John Wilding MBE has been at the helm of Clinton Devon Estates' forestry and reserves, overseeing 1,900 hectares of woodland (Image: Stock image)

His last job was in private consultancy and forest management.

Mr Wilding paid tribute to the skills and hard work of his colleagues in the forestry and reserves team and to the Clinton family and estate trustees for their willingness to adapt the management of the woodlands to meet changing environmental circumstances.

He said: "I will miss the people I have worked with.

"It’s a great team and the estate, the family and the trustees have always shown a good and forward-thinking philosophy, which has made it a pleasure to work here."

Mr Wilding plans to keep busy in retirement.

He is a keen country sportsman, with a particular interest in game-fishing, and also enjoys riding his motorcycle.

He said: "I have got a lot of interests and an expanding family with grandchildren arriving in the last couple of years.

"I am well aware that life is not a rehearsal – and I plan to live it."

This article originally appeared in our sister title, the South West Farmer.