The new president of The Timber Trade Federation urged the industry to communicate even more effectively with key markets and attract new blood.

Geoff Rhodes was making his debut speech in his new office to the East Anglian Timber Trades Association annual dinner.

He opened by paying tribute to his predecessor Philip Underwood, “whose hard work and commitment to The Federation are well-known”.

Looking to the future, Mr Rhodes said the TTF would encourage members get closer to their market s and “do more to find out about the end uses of timber products they supply to customers”. To this end the Federation is continuing its support for the Timber Industry Awards . “These will be more professionally managed and do more to promote the timber industry within the architectural community.”

He also commended the work of wood. for good which was responsible for an “unprecedented timber advertising and PR activity, including TV advertising, an event unparalleled in the UK.”

&#8220We need to draw bright energetic people into the sector and I want the Federation to bring new graduates in the forest product and related sectors to the attention of the industry.”

TTF president Geoff Rhodes

To back these promotional and publicity efforts, Mr Rhodes proposed the creation of a “quality photographic resource” for the timber trade. “This would be a resource for use by members and as a promotional tool to other parts of industry, schools and higher education.”

He added that the industry urgently needs a higher profile in colleges and Universities. “We need to draw bright energetic people into the sector and I want the Federation to bring new graduates in the forest product and related sectors to the attention of the industry.”

Graham Skillen, the new president of the EATTA, stressed to the 360-strong audience at the dinner in King’s College, Cambridge, the importance of keeping timber’s message to the market simple. Most importantly on environmental certification, he urged the industry to press for mutual recognition between the various schemes and for one environmental logo.