The Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society’s annual general meeting saw a changing of the guard, with the appointment of a new national president and the retirement of the society’s long-standing general manager.

David Francis stepped down as president and is replaced by Dilwyn Howells of Premier Forest Products – the first person from Wales to hold that position for 19 years. Malcolm Cowley of Coillte Panel Products is the new vice-president and treasurer.

Congratulating Mr Howells on his new role, TTBS trustee Barry Lewis said he had co-founded “one of the most interesting, go-getting companies in the industry” and that he knew he would be “committed to the TTBS and will give freely of his time”.

Mr Lewis also paid tribute to Malcolm Job, who retires next month after 13 years as general manager.

“Malcolm has done wonders for us, particularly in bringing a technological approach to changing our systems,” he said.

In his farewell speech Mr Job said it had been “an adventurous and pleasant 13 years” and that he’d met some inspiring people, not least the beneficiaries. He thanked the district committees for making him so welcome during his tenure and also thanked his wife Judy for her support.

Former group sales director of Carver (Wolverhampton) Ltd, Ivan Savage, described by Mr Lewis as “highly motivated and well connected – a man of the trade”, is the new general manager.

The TTBS’s new address is: Masons Croft, 19 Church Lane, Oulton, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8UL; tel/fax: 08448 92 22 05. The email address is unchanged at info@ttbs.org.uk