Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Cliff Thrumble, managing director of Boyland Windows has been appointed the new president of the British Woodworking Federation .
Thrumble takes on the BWF presidency after three years of leadership by David Pattenden, managing director of Specialist Joinery (South) Ltd.
He said: “I owe a debt of gratitude to David who steps down as president having led the BWF through its most successful years yet. The BWF is now in excellent shape, with more than 700 members, subscriptions increasing, a clear strategy and a powerful voice with policy makers.
“My most urgent priority in my time as president will be about helping to tackle the ongoing skills crisis, both in terms of increasing awareness of joinery as a secure and rewarding trade to bright school children and career changers, and increasing the commitment to training given to joiners, machinist and installers. This is a critical part of the BWF’s action plan for the success of the industry.
“It is also very much about ensuring the BWF talks to the wider industry, and our members talk to us. We have a strong trade body, but we need to do more to grow membership and engage as many as possible in our work. This means meeting the needs of all members and adding their voice to ours. A key part of my role will be in helping the BWF team to keep our feet on the ground while we look to the horizon.”
