BWF Starts Search For New Chief Executive

The British Woodworking Federation has started the search for a new chief executive, following the news that Richard Lambert will be leaving the BWF in September to join the National Landlords Association as chief executive officer.

Roy Wakeman, president of the BWF, said: “Richard has been a positive influence on the BWF and the industry as a whole over the past nine years during his time as chief executive. 

“Over this time he has worked closely with the Executive board to drive and implement the strategy that has seen a membership increase of 45 percent, as well as major initiatives such as the introduction of our Code of Conduct, a new accreditation scheme for timber stairs, a major industry training scheme, a wide range of business support services and the launch of the Wood Window Alliance. We thank Richard sincerely for these positive results.

“We are now looking for a new person to lead and implement our core strategies around membership growth, business support services to members and developing the industry leaders of the future. The new chief executive will also work closely with me to spearhead our ongoing campaign to inspire industry engagement. It’s a very exciting period within the industry with plenty of debate and change – equally this will be an exciting time for the BWF.”

Richard Lambert says, “The Federation I leave in 2011 is transformed in its objectives, outlook and ambition from the organisation I joined in May 2002.  What was a small, technically-focussed subsidiary of an umbrella confederation is now a modern, independent and professional trade association which supports its members' businesses and represents its industry.  This has enabled it to weather the recession much better than many of its contemporaries and is a fantastic building block for the future.

“The BWF is now ready to move to the next stage of its development, and I believe that it will again benefit from a fresh perspective.”