THE forestry operations of two companies are being merged in a move that is set to secure the long-term future of the smaller firm. 

The forestry division of Charlton Abbotts Forestry will be integrated into Nicholsons, which will see the expanded department cover Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and a number of surrounding counties. 

Coming at a time of "ever-increasing administrative burden" on Charlton Abbotts, the deal will also see its founders, Will and Sue Wilkinson, progressively step back and hand over the reins to the new parent company when the time is right. 

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Niel Nicholson, founding director of the Forest Canopy Foundation (FCF), said: “We’re honoured to bring Charlton Abbotts into the Nicholsons family.

“Their deep expertise and focus on client-centred forest management aligns perfectly with our mission.”

According to a press release, the merger will bolster Nicholsons' ability to serve landowners and estate managers, supporting them with innovative forest management strategies, including a focus on biodiversity and natural capital markets

In a joint statement, Will and Sue said: “As a small company with an ever-increasing administrative burden, linking in with a larger company like Nicholsons, with similar values to ours, is the way forward. 

"Primarily, this move will enable us to ensure that the woodland management service we provide to our clients, is future proofed.

"Although Will is not aiming to retire at this young age (61!), it will mean that we can both, in the longer course of time, progressively step back.

"We are keen that our employees and the specialist contractors we work with, can continue to work with us on the estates they have been involved with. The arrangement with Nicholsons fully enables this." 

Charlton Abbotts landscaping division will continue to deliver landscaping services under its trusted name Charlton Abbotts, with no changes to its current trading format.