Scottish Forestry advertises £63,491 brand manager role amid merger review
Scottish Forestry is advertising an 18-month brand manager role with a salary and pension package of £58,953 to £63,491, despite the agency being considered for possible abolition or merger as part of plans to reduce public bodies. The vacancy has prompted criticism from a Scottish Conservative spokesman and the TaxPayers’ Alliance, who say recruiting while the agency’s future is uncertain could waste public money.
Scottish Forestry was established in 2019 to oversee strategy and regulation in state-owned woodlands, while Forestry and Land Scotland manages the trees. The new role includes updating public guidance and promoting forestry, with some travel to support ministers’ publicity visits; the agency received £80.9 million in government funding last year. A spokesperson said ministers had not decided whether it would join a proposed new environment body and that it must continue delivering its services and statutory duties.
- Scottish Forestry is recruiting a brand manager on up to £63,491.
- The agency may be merged or abolished under government plans.
- It received £80.9 million in public funding last year.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Scottish Forestry still has statutory duties and must deliver its services while ministers consider its future, so leaving the post vacant could disrupt work on public guidance and forestry promotion. An 18-month appointment may provide needed capacity now, and the agency’s spokesperson says no decision has been made about a merger.
The case against
Recruiting to a senior, time-limited role while the agency may be abolished or merged risks committing public money to work or a post that could soon be reorganised. With government funding at £80.9 million last year, critics can reasonably argue that ministers should clarify the agency’s future or assess whether existing staff can cover these duties before hiring.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Wanted: £60k a year PR guru to run SNP’s forests quango… that faces axe to save cash”.