Confor UK Policy Conference

“This conference has become an important annual fixture on the forestry and wood producers’ calendar, and a very useful benchmark of the sector's evolution. We have seen some positive developments in tree planting and carbon markets but it's crucial to ensure the new UK Government's policy planning supports the sector in its important work.

“Investing in forestry and timber can support the challenge to strengthen the UK's infrastructure to help drive growth, which Labour has put at the heart of its economic plan, as well as making a positive contribution to the Government’s net zero targets. Long-term private capital in forestry has a major role to play in unlocking very significant economic, environmental and social benefits for the UK.”

- Olly Hughes, Managing Director, Forestry, Gresham House

"We're delighted to be back sponsoring this event again, at a crucial time for our industry. This is a rare opportunity to influence a new UK Government - and Labour's core pledges around economic growth, house building and economic security resonate very clearly with what the forestry and wood sector can offer.

"The welcome increase in woodland creation in 2023/24 shows a real appetite for more tree planting, to help deliver the green growth the new Government wants. This conference allows us to work out how to move forward the National Wood Strategy for England, and Timber in Construction roadmap, to ensure the priorities of the forestry and wood industry are aligned with, and at the heart of, the new Government's approach to rural policy."

 - David Robertson, Investment & Business Development, Scottish Woodlands Ltd

"The latest tree planting figures showed an encouraging increase in woodland creation, and we must maintain momentum by working closely with the new Government to find common ground where our policy objectives align with theirs. The UK is still planting only two-thirds of its annual target of 30,000 hectares of new woodland and we need to push on if we are to deliver the enormous economic and environmental potential of our industry.

"Our business is unique as it is represented all along the forestry and wood supply chain. Maelor Forest Nurseries grows the young trees to power the industry in future, Tilhill Forestry provides the widest range of high-quality forest management services, Dick Brothers offers high-end harvesting expertise and BSW is the UK's premier sawmiller. Our stable also includes Carbon Store, which has a deep understanding of the carbon market as it affects forestry and wood. This broad-ranging business expertise means we need to be right at the heart of major industry discussions, which is why we are delighted to sponsor this conference once more."

- Harry Stevens, Group Forestry Director, BSW Group