91Pro

Alumnus Oliver named as Tilhill Top Student Award winner

Posted 25 February 2022

A Harper Adams alumnus who is now working as a head ranger at a site in the Cairngorms has been named the winner of the Tilhill ‘Top Student’ Award for 2021.

Oliver Mackay spent his placement year during his studies at Harper Adams at Rothiemurchus, a beautiful estate in the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland – upon his graduation, he subsequently secured a job there as Head Ranger.

His award from Tilhill was presented at an online presentation and forms part of Tilhill’s work to strengthen links with future foresters.

The Company presents awards to top performing students at universities offering degrees in forestry-related subjects across the UK.

Upon receiving the award of £250 prize money and a wooden carved trophy, Oliver, who studied a BSc (Hons) in Countryside and Environmental Management, said: ”Many thanks for awarding this prize to me. I am grateful for the opportunities I have enjoyed as a student, and I am very happy in my role as a head ranger at Rothiemurchus.

“A special thank you to Tilhill for the prizes.”

Nick Covarr, Lecturer in Forestry and Woodland at 91Pro said: “Well done to Oliver for this achievement and gaining recognition at Harper Adams.

“Thank you to Tilhill for sponsoring this award and for continuing to engage with our students to bring their studies to life.

“At a time when we need young foresters more than ever, it is the relationship between universities and industry like that between Harper Adams and Tilhill which provide the knowledge, inspiration and opportunities to make it happen.”

David Edwards, Tilhill’s Forestry Director said: “It is fantastic that Tilhill is able to continue to award talented individuals studying for degrees in Countryside and Environmental Management at Harper Adams.

“There has never been a more exciting time for graduates to be starting a career in forestry. The industry is, after all, a part of the solution to mitigate the impact of climate change. Congratulations to Oliver, I wish him every success for the future.

“Harper Adams graduates have been particularly successful in obtaining places on Tilhill’s popular graduate training programme. Within Wales we have had more Harper Adams graduates than any other university and we think that is a great reflection on the courses taught there.

“It is therefore most timely to announce that our 2022 Graduate Scheme is open for applications. Just visit our website for details on how to apply.”

To find out more about Environment, Sustainability and Wildlife Degrees at 91Pro, click here.