The TDUK Annual Awards Dinner is a highlight of the industry calendar and this year’s event, held on Wednesday 6 November at 8 Northumberland Avenue, was no exception.
The Timber Development UK Awards celebrate excellence in the industry.
The dinner is an opportunity for stakeholders from right across the timber sector to come together and network in a relaxed atmosphere, following the more formal AGM and Global Market Conference held earlier in the day.
Guests had the opportunity to renew old friendships and make new connections, as well as celebrating excellence within the industry through the TDUK Awards, the winners of which were announced at the dinner.
There were five categories this year, chosen to highlight those companies and individuals within the timber sector who are showing leadership, commitment, and who have gone above and beyond in engaging with others in the industry, and to give something back to the sector as a whole.
The winners were:
- Regional Association of the Year Award: The East Anglian Timber Trade Association, for their enthusiastic members and dynamic meetings. EATTA has a following like no other, with great work being done to build upon previous successes.
- Sustainability Award: UPM Timber UK. In emissions, UPM Timber is already among the best in class, using only fossil-free energy sources in its production processes. The company is continuing to develop its sustainability agenda, working closely with customers and introducing lower emission transport options and improving the recyclability of its packaging materials.
- Equality & Diversity Award: Donaldson Group, which has made significant strides in equality, diversity and inclusion as part of its ESG strategy. This includes initiatives like the Women in Leadership group, International Women’s Day celebrations, a dedicated steering group and commitments to part-time/flexible working.
- Training & Apprenticeship Award: SR Timber, which has a dedicated programme supporting roofing apprentices to learn more about the industry. SR Timber regularly donates thousands of linear metres of batten to colleges across the UK to promote the importance of only using certified, quality batten.
- Long Service Award: Sheila Hutchings, Secretary & Treasurer of the East Anglian Timber Trade Association. Sheila is well-known and respected throughout the timber industry, having spent more than 30 years working in numerous timber companies. She became Secretary and Treasurer of EATTA in 2014 and is committed to EATTA and the part it plays within TDUK.
Chris Sutton, Chairman of TDUK, thanked the assembled guests, wishing everyone a warm welcome and an enjoyable evening. He also highlighted the importance of the whole industry coming together to speak in one voice, something that TDUK has been working hard to promote since its formation in 2022.
He continued: “Going forward, an area we must address in our industry is training and education. We also need to sell the attraction of a career in the timber trade to a wider and more diverse audience – this is something we will be looking closely at in the coming months, developing learning tools that our members can use particularly for new employees and trainees.”
TDUK is also a strong supporter of the Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society (TTBS), and guests were invited to donate what they could to help support those who need financial help. TTBS offers grants and welfare support to former employees of the timber industry, or their dependents. In 2023 TTBS gave more than £201,000 to beneficiaries to help cover day-to-day living costs and unexpected expenses.
Guests gave generously, as always, and more than £2,700 was raised on the night.
TDUK would also like to thank the kind sponsors of the Annual Dinner and Awards: Guaraeta, Guarararapes, Nicholas & Co Solicitors, BSW Group, and RMS Ports.
