David Clubb, 34, has been appointed the new Director of Northwoods which supports forest businesses with training and advice, from marketing products to securing grants, improving skills and encouraging inward investment.

The agency, which was established in 1998, is backed by the Forestry Commission and other partners. The move will strengthen the region's leading role in developing the expanding market for wood fuel.

Already England's biggest timber growing region, producing about 750,000 tonnes annually, an increasing proportion of this output is being used by wood fuel generation plants.

Last year the UK's largest biomass power station opened at Wilton on Teesside and about 20 other significant wood fuel projects are under way in the region.

The market is set to grow significantly, says Mr Clubb. "It's been a gradual process alerting the industry and the public to the benefits of using wood in energy generation, but now things are really on the move," he said. "Unlike the use of fossil fuels, it is a green and sustainable resource with a much lower impact on the environment. This year for the first time demand from the sector will have a real impact on the region's forestry industry. That's a sign of things to come."

David's own conversion to green living was forged in the baking heat of Europe's only true desert — Almeria in South East Spain, where he worked for a charity exploring 'low impact' living on the environment, using green technologies to supply water and energy and making the desert more fertile. His time in Spain marked a major career shift for the science graduate from Wales, who had previously been engaged in cutting edge research in low temperature physics, work that underpins technologies such as MRI scanners and the quest to understand the nature of deep space.

Brendan Callaghan, Forestry Commission Regional Director, added: "We're delighted to welcome David to this critical role. Northwoods has become a major force in promoting the woodland sector in the North East, which is crucial for the environment, jobs and economic prosperity."

Two years ago Northwoods secured a £1.2m contract from One NorthEast to assess the suitability of 300 businesses for woodfuel systems.

When he's not contemplating the value of trees, David chills out by playing saxophone for a Newcastle soul band and saddling up on his mountain bike.