Murray Wilson-Browne

I was employed in the South African forestry industry, specifically by Sappi, for 28 years and looked to expand my knowledge base and view other parts of the world. I have been exposed to ISO 14001, FSC and OHSAS 18000 since 1998 and endeavour to employ their principles in all operations.

Safety in all operations is of prime importance to me and I encourage co-workers and subordinates to Stop and Think Before They Act. I am well experienced in forest fire management, my training in which, has given me excellent organisational skills I believe ideally suit the requirements expected of a Forestry Manager. I was instrumental in the introduction of the use of drone technology in Sappi Forests when I purchased my own drone and presented a ten minute flight compilation showing some of the highlights of the areas of High Conservation Value in the area I worked. From there, I investigated and tested the use of large agricultural drones for aerial herbicide application, before handing the reigns to the company’s Planning Department to be able to focus on my own areas of responsibility. Since moving to Papua New Guinea, I found my employment by the last company, 3A Composites, extremely unsatisfactory due to the constraints I have mentioned in my CV, which include tactics of bullying of subordinates and threats of dismissal for perceived incompetency, coupled with a severe lack of downward flow of information. Being a person that values working together with other people, including subordinates, and better motivated by encouragement rather than by the threat of harsh disciplinary measures, I was oddly happy that my contract was terminated at the end of the three month probationary period. I was later employed by PNG Biomass to grow timber on land leased from local land owners and to guide the Silviculture Foresters’ efforts towards becoming good Commercial Foresters. It has taken some time to coach them from the natural forest environment into the commercial forestry space. In the next 3 months, I expect to be able to hand the reigns of Silviculture over to my Assistant Manager and his immediate reports to continue without disruption to the programme. I am a patient person and will try many different approaches to persistent problems. I do show frustration from time to time, but I never give up. Although I work very well on my own, I tend to draw a team of people around me so that as a team we can conquer challenges that a lone person would be unable to achieve efficiently. I thrive on a challenge and find it easy to interact with people of any background. I have a management style that is decidedly participative and will most often share decisions, and the credit for the correct ones, with my subordinates and peers. I aspire to be a New One Minute Manager (Blanchard, Johnson

I live by the principles of honesty, dedication, integrity and fairness. I am a conscientious, loyal individual with excellent interpersonal skills and friendly disposition.

I enjoy spending time with my family and, while my favourite sport currently is surfing, I am finding it a difficult sport to pursue due to my current proximity to suitable conditions, so I have continued coastal fishing. Hobbies include building and repairing fishing rods and small boats, and mending things in general.