Structural Timber Conference Held in Westminster

The Structural Timber Association convened a panel discussion at the Palace of Westminster. Its purpose was to discuss the role of structural wood in sustainably accelerating housebuilding across the United Kingdom. But what topics were covered during the panel discussion, and how will its outcomes influence the UK construction industry?

The main source: Structural timber promoted at Westminster

What were the main topics discussed at the conference?

The expert panel was chaired by Matt Turmaine MP, a member of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick. The panel included Andrew Orriss, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association; Scott Walters, Sales Director of the Building Division at Egger UK; Darren Jarman, Managing Director of Lowfield Timber Frames; and Peter Lacey, Manufacturing Director – Developments at Places for People. The event was attended by developers and social housing providers.

Matt Turmaine, Member of Parliament for Watford, said: “Providing enough housing remains one of the defining policy challenges of our time. The benefits of building with timber structures are clear. This is not only in terms of construction speed, but also in terms of sustainability. Also important, how the quality of the materials and construction practices used.”

“Structural timber has a vital role to play in delivering more homes now, throughout the 2030s, and beyond.”

How will this timber conference influence the construction industry in the future?

For the construction industry, conferences of this kind are an excellent indicator of progress. Also they provide a positive boost to the sector.

Andrew Orriss, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, said: “Around seven of the UK’s 15 largest housebuilders are planning to manufacture timber-frame homes.”

“It has been a privilege to bring together housebuilders, housing associations, and industry leaders here in Westminster today.”

“We look forward to working closely with the UK Government to accelerate housebuilding during this Parliament and beyond. While helping both the government and the construction sector achieve the UK’s net-zero carbon ambitions by 2050. This aligns with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Timber in Construction Roadmap.”

Fencyx, as one of the leading wholesale suppliers in the UK construction industry, is pleased to see conferences like this taking place. We are confident that events of this kind help the industry grow by creating new business connections and opening the door to new contracts.