The UK government’s commitment to the Roadmap in March 2025 has raised optimism in the forestry and wood-processing industry about the role the sector can play in key policy areas, such as boosting economic growth, creating rural jobs and achieving housebuilding targets.
In order to realise the opportunities, action needs to be taken now to secure industry confidence, grow a sustainable wood supply, bring more homegrown timber into the construction sector, and ensure a skilled workforce for the future.
This year’s event is titled Timber in Construction: From Roadmap to Reality and will take place once more at the QEII Centre in Westminster on November 20.
UK forestry minister Mary Creagh, who has committed personally to deliver the Timber in Construction Roadmap, will speak on the UK government’s commitment to achieving the goals set out in the policy paper, as well as make real progress on the National Wood Strategy for England (NWS).
Naomi Matthiessen, deputy director for landscapes, nature and forestry for the Welsh government, will present the Welsh Timber Industrial Strategy, a landmark document published earlier this year that aims to increase both value and amount of timber grown across Wales.
Attendees will hear about a new timber frame manufacturing facility that uses robots to build frames for houses using home-grown wood, and from representatives of the architecture and construction sectors on how timber is currently being used in UK construction and what opportunities are available for the future.
Nick Boulton, head of technical and trade policy at Timber Development UK, will be sharing an international perspective on trade and future timber supplies, and we will be joined by Forest Research for an update on the work being done to identify resilient productive tree species.
There will be significant focus on the steps needed to build a skilled workforce among the next generation of the industry. Melanie McEwen, operations director of the newly established Forestry Training Service UK, will join a panel discussion on the central role of people to the TiC Roadmap and NWS.
“We have a packed programme again this year,” said Stuart Goodall, Confor chief executive. “Confor’s work with governments in England and Wales has laid the groundwork for an expansion in forestry and the use of home-grown timber, and it’s vital that we now take the required steps to ensure that businesses feel the benefit.
“I encourage everyone to come along and not only learn about the opportunities, but also to contribute to the debate about how we move from policy to delivery at speed.”
The conference is kindly sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, Tilhill Forestry (BSW Group) and True North Real Asset Partners.
