Government timber procurement expert retires

Bob Andrew retired from Defra on August 31 after 40 years in the Civil Service.

Mr Andrew was a key figure in shaping the government’s timber procurement policy and in the formation of CPET and has travelled extensively around the world, promoting the UK’s policy.

He was a procurement policy adviser in Defra since the department’s inception in 2001 and for the past six years worked on how sustainable development policy can be pursued through public procurement. During this time he headed Defra’s Timber Procurement Unit and was chairman of the UK Government Timber Buyers’ Group.

Defra’s interim contact for enquiries on timber procurement is Claire Treliving, who can be contacted on tel: 0207 270 8407 or claire.treliving@defra.gsi.gov.uk