Confederation of Timber Industries Launched

After several months of development, the new and inclusive Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) was launched to an enthusiastic audience at the Building Centre in London on 10 June.

CTI will focus on a number of key projects to influence the development and growth of construction, housing and interiors using wood-based products and growing the UK’s low carbon economy. The CTI will act as an umbrella organisation, representing the timber supply chain from forest to end of life recycling and energy recovery.

Dr Peter Bonfield CEO of BRE, launched CTI by saying: “This Industry has needed a stronger joined up voice for a very long time. This is a great moment for the timber industries to demonstrate their combined strength and showcase the Industry. The industry needs to move to the top of the agenda with specifiers, designers and constructors and becomes a first choice construction product. This is an historic day, which we should all embrace to make CTI the success we all need it to be.”

The timber supply chain contributes substantially to the UK Construction and Manufacturing Industries, providing jobs across the skills spectrum and adding value of c£20bn to the UK economy. The research, science, development and employment of timber demands a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce across the entire supply chain. Pressure for skills across the industry will grow in line with population increase. Consequently CTI will ensure that timber leads the way in 21st Century Construction and related industries.

New CTI chief executive Dirk Vennix added: I am delighted to take on this fantastic opportunity to make a difference to the timber supply chain sector. I want to grow the various links in the supply chain and make wood the product of choice. I am looking forward to talking to all stakeholders in the timber supply chain and building more relationships with a wide range of important partners. The CTI is committed to providing key deliverables in the areas of growth, skills and sustainability by 2016. It will be a long journey but I am ready for this challenge. CTI vision is all about growing the supply chain and the market, nurturing the skills in education and the sustainability agenda. Wood needs to become the product of first choice. We can achieve this target together.”

Dutch by birth, Dirk has substantial experience in communications and stakeholder engagement; sponsorship creation and fundraising, working for more than 20 years in the private and not-for-profit sectors in the UK. He recently led the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), a major trade body promoting the interests of large and small betting businesses within a highly regulated and fast paced environment. He was the sector's focal point for key stakeholders in governments, parliaments and the media.

Prior to ABB, Dirk Vennix was Director of Communications for the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA), Director of Campaign Operations for Enterprise Insight, Centrica plc, and Liverpool John Moores University where he was Head of Marketing and Communications. Dirk started his career as a journalist and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (FCIPR). Dirk gained an MBA with distinction at the University of Bradford in 2000.

For more information visit: www.cti-timber.org