People | 63
Graham Blyth retires from James Jones & Sons after 45 years’ service
Graham Blyth, sales director at James Jones & Sons, has retired after 45 years with the business.
Mr Blyth started his career on the line in the company’s sawmill in Forres. He then moved to the ‘new’ mill in 1982 in Dumfries as a trainee manager, specifically tasked with developing graded timber for the merchant sector.
Above: Graham Blyth has retired after 45 years with James Jones & Sons
He subsequently moved to the Group’s head office in Larbert to begin his career in sales, where he moved from a trainee through various stages of responsibility to the position of sales director in 2019. He retired at the end of 2024 to spend more time with his family, travelling and on the golf course. “Work has never been a chore and I have never had to wrestle with a lack of motivation or enthusiasm,” said Mr Blyth, writing on LinkedIn. “I have been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed work and this is due to people who make James
Fountain Timber appoints Ross Baker as managing director
Above: Ross Baker
Fountain Timber Ltd has announced the appointment of Ross Baker to the role of managing director within its independent timber and fencing merchants’ business, based just outside Bristol.
Mr Baker has 25 years product and customer service knowledge, and experience gained from starting at the age of 16, and progressing through almost every department within the business. He was promoted to the role of general manager in 2019. The previous managing director, Steven Sutton, retired in 2021, at which point Mr Baker took on his responsibilities. The board of directors are now pleased to recognise his contribution to the business, with a proactive senior role on the board.
“Ross has successfully steered the company through a major transition over the last few years and fully deserved this promotion,” said Mike Ashmole chairman of Fountain Timber.
Daltons Wadkin appoints fibre laser specialist
Daltons Wadkin has expanded its team by hiring a specialist to lead the company’s fibre laser and sheet metal offering. Adrian Wright joined the business in January as a fibre laser sales manager, bringing over three decades of experience
in the fibre laser and sheet metal market. He will now lead on managing Daltons
Wadkin’s exclusive partnership with CNC and fibre laser producers, Kimla, to grow the fibre laser installations across the UK and Ireland.
Above: Louis Vandecasteele (left) with his father Stefaan Vandecasteele
www.ttjonline.com | March/April 2025 | TTJ
Jones & Sons such a special business. There are far too many to mention but I thank each and every one, past and present, for their support, encouragement, commitment and most of all, their friendship. “I should also wish to express my thanks and gratitude to all our customers for their loyalty and support throughout the years, many of whom have also become good friends.
“Whilst retirement sounds a little daunting I intend to make the most of it and do all the things I never had the time to do because work somehow managed to get in the way.
“I shall watch with interest the continued prosperity and development of the business and reflect on my time at JJS with great affection.”
James Jones & Sons said Mr Blyth “will be hugely missed by so many in the timber trade after an amazing and illustrious career”.
Son succeeds father at Vandecasteele
A changing of the guard has taken place at the family business Vandecasteele Houtimport in Aalbeke in Belgium. Son Louis Vandecasteele, who has been involved in the company’s management for several years, has taken over the role of chief executive officer, succeeding his father, Stefaan Vandecasteele and becoming the fifth generation of the family to take over the company. Stefaan Vandecasteele will continue to be active behind the scenes as an adviser.
People
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