THE Arboricultural Association has appointed a new chair. 

Neil Davies becomes the 28th person to assume the role after being confirmed in the position during the AA's AGM last month. 

He replaces Michelle Ryan, who has been in the post since 2020. Michelle, the youngest and first female chair, will now serve as vice chair for the next 12 months in order to ease the transition. 

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"A big and and slightly nervous moment for me," Neil wrote on LinkedIn. "I hope I can make Michelle Ryan the rest of the trustees the Arboricultural Association and its members proud." 

Neil joined the AA's Board of Trustees in 2022 and has spent more than 30 years in the industry. According to the organisation, he is "keen to give back and to support the next generations of professionals, while continuing to strive for increased recognition of arboriculture as a highly skilled profession".

Elected in 2020, Michelle Ryan was the youngest and first female chair of the AA Elected in 2020, Michelle Ryan was the youngest and first female chair of the AA (Image: AA)

A statement added: "He is passionate about getting involved in the promotion of our industry to others and helping raise our profile as pragmatic problem solvers, not problem makers.

"He is also keen to share knowledge and inspire others."

Neil added: "I’m great with young people and truly passionate about sharing my experiences to help the next generations of our profession.”

Elsewhere, Rob Murison was re-elected as treasurer, with Liz Nicholls and Sarah Armstrong reappointed as co-opted trustees. Laura Ancell, Senior Digital Broadcast Journalist at the BBC, was also co-opted as a trustee for the first time.

Alan Simson, Keith Sacre, Sarah Kiss, Stella Bolam, Steve Westmore and Paul Barton all remain on the Board.