People | 79
Change of leadership at TDCA
Ms Qualters has served as a member of the TDCA board for many years on behalf of major decking manufacturers and currently represents Timber Development UK (TDUK), which has helped TDCA expand its communications reach since 2019.
She will combine her new
Above (from left): Janet Sycamore and Laura Qualters
The Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) has announced the appointment of Laura Qualters as the association’s director of strategy, communications and membership development. This key leadership transition is part of a succession plan that sees Ms Qualters take on the TDCA’s principal leadership role from Janet Sycamore.
responsibilities for TDCA with her duties for TDUK whose back-office team has been formally contracted to provide all TDCA communication services.
Ms Sycamore continues to be responsible for quality scheme management, expert opinion services, standards, accounts and membership services from the TDCA office in Nostell, West Yorkshire.
“I’m honoured to step into the role of director of strategy, communications, and membership development at TDCA,” said Ms Qualters. “Having been on the TDCA board for several years and collaborated
JDT appoints general manager for flagship site
skills to the team, with 10 years of operational management in the packaging industry and 20 years as a maintenance engineer.
Mr Ellison joins JDT from CPS Paper Products where he was business operations manager, leading a team of five and a site of 50. Prior to that, he was production manager at leading sustainable packaging supplier, DS Smith.
Mr Ellison joins JDT at a
transformational period for the business, with the remit to set up and manage the new 110,000ft2
manufacturing Above: Mike Ellison
James Donaldson Timber (JDT) has appointed Mike Ellison to the role of general manager at its new flagship site in Chorley.
An engineer by trade, Mr Ellison brings a wealth of experience and transferable
facility in Botany Bay Business Park. The new factory, which is expected to be fully operational by autumn 2025, has the capability to more than double current production capacity and improve operational efficiencies for JDT, with opportunities for market growth and diversification.
Paul Snape kicks off new term as TTBS president
Paul Snape of WS Logistics was appointed president of the Timber Trades Benevolent Society (TTBS) at its AGM on May 1. It is Mr Snape’s second opportunity to head the TTBS as his first stint as president was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic,
when much of the charity’s fund-raising activities were cut short.
Chris Offa was confirmed as TTBS vice- president, while trustees Richard Bagnall and John Taylor will be joined by Tony Shelton.
closely through my position at TDUK, I’ve experienced first-hand the TDCA’s dedication to the promotion of quality timber decks and external timber cladding, advocating best practices and supporting its members. “I am excited about the opportunity to build on the strong foundations Janet has already put in place and, as I step into this new role, I look forward to working alongside the TDCA team, industry partners and our members to further advance TDCA’s objectives and initiatives.” “Laura has the blend of skills and knowledge that are essential to assume the leadership role from Janet and take the TDCA into the future,” said Steve Young, TDCA chairman. “We look forward to working with her and the team at TDUK who have been appointed to provide communications services to support TDCA operations.”
Obituary: Michael Wood
Michael Wood, the former managing director of Woods Timber Co Ltd based in Hull, died on June 14 aged 85. Michael was one of the last of a generation that dealt with the Russians in their pre-Glasnost days when they exported 1.4million m3
to the UK via the
state-run company Exportles. Michael worked closely with his sales director and cousin Hugh, and they were the third generation of the family that ran the company. Michael joined Woods Timber Ltd after leaving St Peter’s school in York joining his father Malcolm and uncles Leslie and Gerald.
Michael gained valuable experience working with them and rose to be managing director as the older generation retired. He became well known among suppliers in Sweden, Finland, Canada and Russia. Woods Timber was renowned for its quality of timber machining.
Michael was respected in the trade and had a wonderfully dry sense of humour, evident in his speeches to a packed Royal Station Hotel when he was chairman of the Yorkshire and Humberside Timber Trade Association. Michael was a keen and talented yachtsman competing in national competitions. He will be missed by all those who knew him and his passing sees one of the last of a generation that worked in Hull when it was a preeminent timber port.
www.ttjonline.com | July/August 2025 | TTJ
People
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