Mike has 30 years experience in Forestry. He joined FSA in 2008 as Executive Director, after 18 years as a Director in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. A seasoned negotiator and talented lobbyist, Mike has played a central role in negotiating changes to key legislation affecting the Industry and in leveraging tens of millions of Rand for the industry. His ability to think strategically and his passionate commitment to Industry and South Africa, have earned him the respect of a broad range of stakeholders in the Sector, both domestically and internationally. Mike’s love of the Industry, his understanding of the business, macro-economic and socio-political environment, make him highly suited to this challenging role. These attributes have helped develop FSA into the organisation that it is today.
Roles and responsibilities
Beyond the overarching responsibility for the strategic, operational, financial and human resources management of FSA, Mike has several specialist roles which he also plays in the land, transformation, government liaison, climate and carbon, water and communications arenas. He also represents the Industry in international forestry-related processes and dialogues and he previously chaired the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s Advisory Committee on Forestry.
