Confor members back UKFPA merger

All members who cast votes, both in person - at the Confor AGM at APF 2018 - and by post/by proxy were in favour of the merger. This involved a vote to amend Confor's Articles of Association to provide for the appointment of four new members to the Board to represent the UKFPA members joining Confor. 

In a vote at the end of August, members of the UKFPA had backed the proposal unanimously. 

After the final legal processes take place, the merger will take effect from 1st January 2019. 

When the merger was first announced, Confor's Chief Executive Stuart Goodall and UKFPA Executive Director David Sulman said: "There is a lot more we can do for member businesses and this merger will help us deliver greater services and do more to promote their interests to politicians and in the media.”  

After the AGM vote, Confor Chair Athole McKillop said: "Everyone is very pleased that both memberships have backed the merger proposal. We have so many opportunities and challenges facing us, from post-Brexit funding and policy, to plant health and securing future wood supply, it’s vital that we make best use of the sector’s resources to promote our interests and to provide enhanced services to members."

Gavin Davidson, Vice-President, UKFPA said “This an exciting time for the Forest Industry and I see the merger of Confor and UKFPA as a great opportunity to bring the strengths of both organisations together to have a strong single voice representing the Industry”.