Timber Development UK (TDUK) has announced that long-standing Chairman Chris Sutton has stepped down from his position, and that Vice-Chair Patrick Guest has taken on the new role of Executive Chair.
Chris Sutton, former Managing Director of James Latham, had held the position of Chair since 2021 and taken a leading role in helping form TDUK from the merger of Timber Trade Federation and TRADA.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with TDUK," said Sutton. "We've overseen a number of positive initiatives during a time of not so positive market conditions. Dave Hopkins and the team have put a strong program together to help keep pushing the markets for timber forward. I believe I am leaving the organization in a far stronger position, fit to face the future."
Sutton will continue to work with TDUK as an Ambassador for the trade.
As result of this change, Patrick Guest, whose timber career includes director positions at Arnold Laver, NTG and St Gobain, has left his role as Vice-Chair to become Executive Chair. This is a new role involving the Board Governance functions of the Chair as well as supporting the CEO and Executive Team in delivery of TDUK objectives.
On taking the new position, Guest said: "First, it is important to recognise the excellent work Chris did during his five and a half years as Chair. TDUK is now well placed to lead the discussion and development of timber in the UK. My role is to support TDUK's continued development and help establish it as the voice of a growing industry, representing the whole supply chain. I am excited to be taking this role on and look forward to getting out to member meetings across the country."
The latest Governing Board meeting also saw the appointment of three new directors to strengthen the representation at Board level: Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing & Logistics Director at West Fraser UK; Greg Cooper, Managing Director, Hybrid Structures; and Greg Pickett, Managing Director at Taylor Maxwell and former Chair of East Anglia Timber Trade Association.
