James C Coulson FIWSc FFB

Qualifications/Training

BS 4978 - Certificate of Proficiency:
Visual Strength Grading of Softwoods [1975]
Buckinghamshire College - Certificate in Timber Studies (Distinction) [1976]
Final Examination, Institute of Wood Science [1978] – Specialism:  Timber Engineering
BS 2482 – Certificate in Scaffold Board Grading [1985]
BS 5756 - Certificates of Proficiency:                                                              Grading of Temperate Hardwoods [1997]                                                       Grading of Tropical Hardwoods [1998]

I studied at Buckinghamshire College (now Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College) in High Wycombe, in the School of Art, Design, Furniture and Timber. Whilst there, I achieved a Distinction in the Certificate in Timber Studies (Winning First Prize) and gained a further two national Institute of Wood Science Prizes whilst qualifying as an Associate of the Institute of Wood Science; this qualification being achieved in1978. And in December 2004, I was elected to Fellowship of the IWSc.

Since the mid-1980’s I have been a member of the Council of Management of the Institute of Wood Science and I was President of the IWSc from 2002-2004.  I was elected a Fellow of the Faculty of Building in 1986, in recognition of my experience in undertaking technical investigations into building matters involving timber and wood-based products. I have been an accredited Timber Consultant with UNIDO since1991 (registered with the UN in Vienna). I joined the UK Wood Committee of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) in 1992, and I was elected onto the ICOMOS-UK National Executive Committee in 2004.  I have been a member of the UK Timber Grading Committee since1994 and in 2006, I was appointed to the Sector Group 18 European Code Committee, concerned with the new Harmonised Timber Grading Standards for all of Europe (EN 14081).  I am now a Member of the Board of the Wood Technology Society (a Division of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), which is the successor to the IWSc.

Experience

I spent 16 years as a Regional Officer (latterly becoming Manager of their Regional Technical Consultancy Services) with TRADA - the Timber Research And Development Association - before founding Technology For Timber Limited (TFT) in 1991. Since then I have extended the scope of technical inspections to include shopfitting, furniture and fitted kitchens; and I continue to work closely with sawmilling, construction, timber engineering, trussed rafters/traditional roofs, joinery, external cladding, flooring products and all types of wood-based sheet materials.  I also cover their manufacture, quality and installation: thus I have developed a very broad knowledge of the manufacturing processes and practical applications for all wood products in the timber, construction, joinery, shopfitting, kitchen and furniture industries.  My technical knowledge covers both historical and new build; as well as the factory production techniques of plywood, chipboard, MDF,  roof trusses, doors, windows, flooring, and fitted kitchens.

For over thirty years, I have carried out hundreds of inspections and consultancy projects on both solid timber and wood-based sheet materials. These cover such matters as: timber construction; installation, design and detailing; quality of materials used and standards of workmanship; as well as the conformity of wood-based goods, materials and manufactured joinery items with published standards, relevant specifications, or industry working practices. My “hands on” experience covers new and historic buildings, primary sawmills and all types of board-producing, joinery, flooring, kitchen and furniture component manufacturing plants in the UK, Scandinavia, Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.

T Gilmour McKellar AIWSc

Qualifications/Training

RSAMD Glasgow 3 year Teaching Diploma Course 1973
Glasgow College of Building & Printing Institute of Wood Science certificate 1979
Final (Associateship) Examination of the Institute of Wood Science 1980
Associate - Institute of Sales & Marketing Management
Certificate of Proficiency to Grade Structural Softwoods to BS 4978.                 Certificate of Proficiency to Grade Scaffold Boards to BS2482 2009.                 Certificate of Proficiency to Grade Tiling Battens to BS5534:2003 +A1 2010.

Career Summary

Chairman of the Institute of Wood Science (Scottish branch) 1981 to 1984.
Member of the Timber Trade Federation National Softwood Division Committee.
Has held Senior management roles in a major British softwoods sawmilling group. During this time was heavily involved in the successful negotiation and administration of contracts with National Builders Merchants and Buying Groups.                            For a period of 10 years, as part of my work with the Nationals, I created and presented wood technology lectures to their management and employees. These ranged from general talks including forest and sawmill visits to more in depth wood science knowledge based lectures.

Has developed and delivered sales training, including mentoring, to various levels of the IWSc Courses.
Presently involved with Certification and Training skills with TFT across the UK. Developing links with the timber industry from small forestry growers to large construction companies and the supply chain across the industry.

Professional experience

With more than 30 years in timber retailing, training, management and sales, has a wealth of experience, especially in the softwood market, including sawmilling, grading, preservative treatments and end-uses.

Janet M Antonovics

Qualifications/Training

B/TEC HND Business Studies with French (1978)
Advanced Selling Techniques Course (1985)
TACK Professional Sales Training Course (1989)
John Fenton Stratagems plc Sales Management Training Course (1994)
PAGB Certificate in OTC Healthcare (1999)
Plan 2000 Sales Development Programme (2003)
Graceland College - Skillpath Seminars. “Communicating with Diplomacy & Professionalism” (2005)

Career Summary

Developed and managed national Grocery & DIY multiple accounts; expanded account bases into a major portfolio in the discounter and grocery sector. In charge of the distribution of water treatment products in the national merchant sector and also of a range of top-quality bathroom products through major distributors. Promoted a home decor concept into leading DIY and High Street retail outlets, and implemented an important product launch for a major DIY multiple account.
Managed the distribution of a range of budget household products into the independent wholesale & retail sector. In the OTC medicines sector, managed independent accounts and implemented the launch of range of TV-advertised branded products. Devised and presented in-store and classroom-based staff & merchandiser training on a new product for a major manufacturer. Undertook a product penetration, distribution, brand awareness and new business development role in the Independent Merchant, Engineering trade & DIY Sector of a range of value-for-money hand & power tools for a manufacturer & distributor committed to a new concept of sales & distribution into this market.
Now undertaking liaison for TFT with the UK business development sector, including Yorkshire Gold, Business Link and Yorkshire Forward. Also in charge of managing the company's involvement with the Learning & Skills Council, Proskills Group and The National Skills Academy. Instrumental in obtaining TFT's inclusion on the Brokerage Platform for Yorkshire & the Humber, Yorbuild, Target & the Yorkshire & Humber Construction Best Practice Club

Professional experience

After 30 years in retailing, management and sales, has a wealth of experience in varying business practices including sales and marketing, direct mailing, communications and the importance of product knowledge and sector skills. Able to communicate at all levels, has worked extensively in the UK merchanting, DIY and timber sector, with a particular understanding of the needs and requirements for success in the wood and timber industry in the 21st Century.

Ian Ashworth

Qualifications/Training

National Association Paper Merchants (NAPM) Examinations, Levels 1&2
Institute of Paper (IOP) Diploma
BM TRADA Qualified Chain of Custody Auditor

Career Summary

He has spent over 30 years in the Paper and related Wood-fibre Industries.
He has been responsible for several major projects, including a £1.5 million project for a major international paper company supplying to Saudi Arabia; a £1million project for HSE on White Bond; several major High Street Banks' paper contracts worth over £2million (supplying POS material & photocopying paper nationwide).
He has worked with many of the UK's National Parks, establishing their specifications and implementing marketing solutions, and has also created a portfolio of specialised paper products.

Professional experience

His other experience includes: liaison with printers and designers - defining specifications and assisting with new business opportunities; the co-development of a new Bio-fuels company into a viable business; and more recently, working with the Government Framework on recycled paper initiatives.
Since joining Technology For Timber Limited, he has taken on Chain of Custody Auditing; and has spearheaded TFT's involvement with the 2012 Olympic Development Authority and LOCOG, to ensure that all potential suppliers of timber, paper and related wood-fibre products can work towards obtaining the necessary C-o-C Certification to enable them to tender successfully for this major project.

Mel Hales MPhil BSc

Qualifications/Training

Bachelor of Science Analytical Chemistry (Hons)
Master of Philosophy (M Phil)
Certified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor
Quality Assurance Advisor - Material Quality Assurance Directorate (part of MOD)
Associate of the University of Greenwich
Associate in the Technology of Surface Coatings (ATSC)

Career Summary

He has over 35 years' experience in the implementation of quality, safety and environmental systems across many industries. He has considerable industrial experience in Technical Management within the coatings industry, where he was involved with the Paint Research Association and with both British Standards and British Coating Federation committees.
He was originally involved in the assessment of companies' Quality Assurance schemes from the 1970's, and has since audited, designed, installed and implemented many BS EN ISO 9000/9001 Quality Assurance Systems in a number of industries. He has delivered training courses in auditing, team-working, continuous improvement, effective presentation, quality costing and quality tools for problem solving; and he has developed Integrated Management Systems to include quality, safety and environmental requirements.

Professional experience

Since becoming an Associate of TFT, he has expanded his Certification skills to include Chain of Custody implementation within the Timber and allied industries, as well as co-authoring a “Model” FPC Manual for the Timber Trade Federation. His principal ability lies in the practical implementation of Quality, Safety and Environmental systems, complying with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9000; FPC systems and Chain of Custody systems for PEFC and FSC.

Service provided through TFT include:

• Undertaking the Initial Survey
• Providing an implementation programme and Project co-ordination
• Preparing & guiding the preparation of suitable manuals, procedures and other relevant documents
• Supplying a comprehensive hands-on service that allows Managers the time to manage
• Undertaking independent audits of the system and assessing progress

Plus: on-site training at all levels; where different packages include:

Quality Awareness, Problem Solving, Team-working and System Auditing

Iain Thew MEng Grad IMMM

Qualifications/Training

Masters Degree in Structural Engineering with Architecture, Edinburgh University 2010
Winner, George Simpson Technology Prize For Outstanding Work - Edinburgh University School of Architecture 2010
Wood Technology Society - Timber Studies Foundation Course 2010
TFT Ltd - Scaffold Board Appreciation Course 2010
Unversitatea Politehnica Timisoara, Romania - taught Course on Eurocode 3, in 2009
Certificate of Proficiency to Grade Structural Softwoods

Career Summary

Iain spent 3 months in Romania writing a taught course in English, on steel Design to Eurocode 3.
He worked as an assistant technician for a prestigious Structural Engineering practice in York: working on surveying and mapping of large industrial sites, design calculations for steel, concrete and timber structures, plus CAD drawing.
His Masters Thesis involved liaising with a private archaeological firm which had an interest in the structural performance of Iron-Age Scottish brochs: where the project involved building and then testing to destruction scale-models. This project was of great interest to the Broch Special Interest Group (more info).

David Aston

Independent Consultancy Services are offered in the following areas:

• The specification and properties of treated timber
• Health and safety and environmental legislation
• Establishing health safety and environmental management systems
• Carrying out and reviewing COSHH assessments on wood preservatives
• Site authorisations for timber treatment plants
• Advice on compliance with the BWPDA Code of Practice for the Safe Design and Operation of timber treatment plants
• Plant Audits
• Emergency preparedness including the preparation of emergency plans

Professional Experience

Dr David Aston has over 28 years of experience in the industrial wood preservation industry.
Firstly with Hickson Timber Products Ltd and latterly with Arch Timber Protection. He was responsible for the technical, regulatory and environmental support to the business. Recently he led the Task Group revising the BWPDA Code of Practice on the Safe Design and Operation of Timber Treatment Plants and republished in May 2003. His experience includes representing the industry at national, European and international levels including the European Commission, the OECD, UNEP, the FAO and ISO. He also represents the BSI at CEN TC38 meetings on wood preservative standards. He has been an active member of the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association and continues to serve its Technical, and Environmental and Legislative Affairs Committees. He has also been the President of the European Wood Preservative Manufacturers Group (EWPM) an organisation that represents the industry position on health safety, the environment as well as technical standards. He currently acts as consultant to the EWPM.