Sam Riley

Sam's career in forestry began with obtaining a BSc. in forestry from the Scottish School of Forestry in Inverness which gave him a firm grounding in the principles and practices of forestry, learning from the best teachers and instructors in Scotland. After graduating in 2015, he worked with the Forestry Commission as a Woodland Officer covering Oxfordshire for the next eight years, learning more about lowland forestry and how the regulatory and grant landscapes help to support industry professionals and deliver on government targets for tree planting. Feeling it was time to move on, Sam joined Savills in January of 2024 and has embedded himself in the team, bringing his expertise from the Forestry Commission to his new role in managing woodlands on behalf of his clients across central England.

Sam's current role covers all aspects of woodland management from creating new woodlands to harvesting operations once the trees are mature, applying for grants to aid in project delivery, obtaining regulatory permissions and ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation to protect our nation's woodlands. Sam tailors his approach to meet the needs of his clients whilst always striving to make the woodlands the best that they can be, whatever the objective of his clients. Be it providing timber income, enhancing biodiversity or encouraging recreation or a mixture of all three.

Sam has been involved in several volunteer planting days on behalf of his clients, helping people to gain a deeper appreciation for our nation's woodlands and what is involved in looking after them. He is also involved in his local division of the Royal Forestry Society, serving on their committee for the benefit of the members as they seek to share knowledge and pass on the wisdom of woodland owners and managers. Outside of work, as a committed Roman Catholic, he is heavily involved in local parish life and helps out where he can for the benefit of his local community.