The Institute of Wood Science says it is proceeding with talks to merge with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).
The organisations revealed their interest in a tie-up earlier this year and have been through a consultative process with members, including a series of regional meetings in London, Manchester and Newcastle. The latter provided the opportunity to put questions to representatives of both bodies.
“As no major impediments have been flagged up by the membership, the IWSc council now wants formal talks with IOM3 regarding a merger,” said Geoff Taylor, IWSc president.
IOM3 chief executive Bernie Rickinson said he was ‘delighted’ with the IWSc’s decision to formalise discussions.
“The process of due diligence will start immediaely and this will enable us to establish a memorandum of agreement which will form the basis on which the final decision to merge will be taken,” he said.
Earlier IWSc chief executive Duncan King said that a merger with IOM3 would considerably strengthen his organisation.
“The IWSc has 850 members, IOM3 has 19,500,” he said. “A merger would give us scale and security.”
