The Red Rose Forest Trust, the charitable organisation dedicated to protecting, promoting and creating woodland areas and green spaces in a large part of Greater Manchester, has appointed Stephen Falder as its new Chairman.

Stephen, who lives in Knutsford, is Sales & Marketing Director of Manchester-based HMG Paints and the family-owned firm has long been an active supporter of this urban environmental initiative, developing a riverside woodland at its Collyhurst Road works, which forms part of the ever growing Red Rose Forest.

"We wanted to get a good Chair and felt that Stephen was exactly the right person for the post," says the Trust's Company Secretary, Tony Hothersall. "We have worked with HMG over many years and Stephen has always been an enthusiastic advocate of our work. He has a good background in industry and commerce, which will help with involving other businesses, and is extremely well connected at regional and national level."

Stephen Falder assumes the Trust's Chair on a part-time basis, replacing the previous full-time incumbent, the Hon Ralph Assheton. In addition to his hard-working involvement in running a thriving independent paint manufacturing business, which markets its high performance products across the world, Stephen is a member of the Government's Better Regulations Task Force, and Chair of its Science sub-group, a CBI Regional Councillor, a member of the Institute's Council representing SME's, and Vice Chair of the British Manufacturers' Sector Skills Council.

"I passionately believe that the ideas of Red Rose Forest can be integrated into everyone's life, whether it's individuals, small and large businesses, or public bodies," says Stephen. "I am delighted to play my part in this important initiative."

Established over ten years and the most urban of all twelve community forest in England, Red Rose Forest is a partnership of the Countryside Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Trafford and Wigan, and the cities of Manchester and Salford. It has planted over 860 hectares of new woodland in that period, representing some 2.5 million trees, in the process increasing the region's woodland cover by a third and creating 500km of footpaths.

Amongst its current initiatives, the Green Streets project, which promotes urban greening through the planting of street trees and climbing plants, is proving hugely successful; while the Viridor Community Action Fund, which offers grants to community groups for imaginative planting and landscaping, has been inundated with applicants.

"A green environment provides the lungs of the city and is instrumental in helping to reduce stress amongst urban inhabitants," says Tony. "Trees provide shade in hot weather, shelter in inclement weather and a valuable resource for exercise and relaxation."

HMG Paints has made its own contribution to a greener Greater Manchester, planting thousands of native broad-leaved trees at its Collyhurst works, as part of a waterside regeneration project that recently gained a major environmental award. It also offers the site as an open-air classroom and study forum for schools in the area, in line with Red Rose Forest Trust's primary goal of involving local people and communities in the creation and enjoyment of urban woodlands.

Further enquiries to:
Red Rose Forest Trust
Dock Office
Trafford Road
Salford Quays
Salford
M50 3XB
Telephone 0161 872 1660.