New BWF president promises increased member engagement

Mr Pattenden, managing director of Specialist Joinery (South) Ltd, officially took over the reigns as new BWF president at the organisation's AGM on July 18.

He has served on BWF's Council since 2005, becoming a director and BWF officer in 2007 and holding the post of senior vice-president since 2011.

He has already made his mark on BWF strategy, particularly for his involvement in BWF Members' Day 2013 and was instrumental in the decision to make a free place available to all members this year for the first time.

"Engagement with members is the theme of my presidency," he said. "Each and every firm will get even greater value from their membership of the BWF and will have the opportunity to add their voice and shape the joinery industry of the future.

"We are seeing continued significant membership growth - about 80 new applications to join the BWF in the last six months alone, compared with just over 100 in the whole of last year."

The organisation is creating a consultation and campaigns area on its website to ensure all members have maximum opportunity to engage with upcoming policy issues and to have their say.

"Building on a strong information platform, our aim is to combine more events, traditional and digital communications to drive active engagement from all firms, and we are planning a 20% increase in participation in next year's Members' Day," added BWF chief executive Iain McIlwee.