One week to book for policy conference!

Timber! Why the UK needs the wood - and the trees will examine the increasing demand for wood, globally and in the UK, and identify how to grow domestic supply, unlocking investment and job creation and helping achieve net zero.

Speakers include new Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison MP, Climate Change Committee Chair Lord Deben, Forestry Commission CEO Richard Stanford and Mike Childs of Friends of the Earth, which recently published a report: Why the UK needs more trees.

Philip Dunne MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into Sustainable Timber and Deforestation, will also speak.

Registration for the event closes at 5pm on Monday 5th December.

The event - kindly sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, Tilhill and Gresham House - will also highlight the work of Confor and its members in promoting the sector in areas like community engagement and changing attitudes to the industry.

Stuart Goodall, Confor CEO, who will speak at the event, said: "The UK Government is determined to drive growth in the economy while still achieving net zero, and our sector is one of the best-placed to help deliver that ambition.

"However, that will mean change and this conference is well-timed to inform the Sunak administration on what is required to unlock growth in forestry and wood manufacturing. I call on members to join the discussion and have your say - and I would like to thank Scottish Woodlands Ltd, Tilhill and Gresham House for sponsoring the event."

Ralland Browne, Managing Director of Scottish Woodlands Ltd, said: "Scottish Woodlands Ltd is very happy to sponsor this significant policy conference, which will examine the current challenges facing our industry, but more importantly, look at how we rise to those challenges and work together to overcome them.

"Part of that approach must be changing public attitudes towards forestry and wood processing - and this has been a key focus for Scottish Woodlands for some time. I very much look forward to contributing to the wide-ranging conference discussions."

Gavin Adkins, Managing Director of Tilhill, said: "Tilhill has always been at the forefront of discussions about the future of our industry and we are delighted to sponsor this important event.

"Securing future timber supply in the UK is vital, and it's so important that the public and private sectors work together to ensure that we continue to plant the trees and grow the wood that future generations will need. My colleagues and I look forward to contributing fully to the conference discussions."

Olly Hughes, Managing Director, Gresham House, said: "Gresham House is delighted to support discussions on the future of forestry, especially at this pivotal moment for wider tree planting plans in the UK and the industry as a whole. There is an opportunity to make a fundamental difference and plant more productive forests to secure future UK timber supplies and, as importantly, deliver significant economic and environmental benefits at the same time."

Registration is from 9am, sessions start at 950am, and the event will finish around 4:30pm. Full details and the draft event agenda can be found here.

For any enquiries about booking, or the event itself, please contact our Membership & Marketing Officer, Eliza Hibbins-Cline.