Better together

'Better Together!' was the slogan of the effective campaign for Scotland to remain part of the UK. It is also the mantra that has underpinned co-operation between industry bodies. As the SNP looks set to sweep the board in Scotland in May, and the BWF/TTF merger stalls, is fracture the way forward?

Not based on the experience of Confor, which was established to reverse the declining influence of the UK forestry and primary wood processing sector. This lack of influence had handicapped the industry, perhaps most notably in the continuing reduction of the commercial forest resource. Regulation had also increased, and public and private standards of management conspired to reduce productivity.

As a comparatively small sector, we cannot afford to use our scarce resources sub-optimally, and we need to drive greater professionalism in our lobbying and communication.

Crucially we need to get away from different organisations lobbying the same people with slightly different messages, leaving politicians and officials unclear about what the sector wants.

Those being lobbied want it made easy, especially if the sector being represented is economically small and contains relatively few voters. Confor's approach has been to distil and develop an industry wide message so that we present simple, clear asks. We develop solutions, rather than just present problems or blunt demands. This takes time and resource, but as a result in recent years, the sector's influence has increased and real successes have been secured.

A very welcome corollary to that success is the growth in Confor's membership. Conceived at a time of reducing resources for representation, Confor has reversed the decline and growth is creating a positive cycle of additional resource, greater impact and increased membership.

We have always been very positive about wider industry co-operation. As one of two shareholders in Wood for Good, we have sought to bring others on board so that they feel part of a vital shared project. We have also been enthusiastic supporters of the Timber Industry Accord.

It is vital that the collective energy of trade bodies is focused now on where we can secure greatest bang for our members' buck. There will be a new government in May, wood still has to compete with alternative materials, and all parts of the supply chain need high quality new entrants.

Energy needs to go into key shared objectives, in particular funding Wood for Good and lobbying the new government to deliver priority elements of the Accord manifesto. To focus this energy, do we have to wait until there is structural change in the representative sector? There is scope for individual organisations to work together better, and for some, potentially, to even come together. Collectively, however, we need to get on with meeting the challenges set out above.

The campaign for Scottish independence, from an unpromising start, came very close to success as a broad church worked together, quite ruthlessly, behind some clear messages. A lesson for us.