Meet the Team

The BWF is the voice of the UK Woodworking industry, and our staff team works hard to support your business in every way. Below you can meet the team here at the BWF. In addition to the staff team, you can also see which members are representing you.

We are a member led organisation with our Board of Directors and Member Council driving the strategy. All members of the Board and Council are voluntary representatives from member businesses who are committed to driving the industry forward through the BWF.

The BWF Team

Helen Hewitt – Chief Executive
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Helen has overall responsibility for the BWF’s operations and direction.

Kevin Underwood – Technical Director
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Kevin spends much of his time out of the office sitting on technical standards committees both in the UK and Europe. He works to drive standards for the advancement of our industry and offers advice through the technical helpline.

Tony Batchelor – Training Manger
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Tony is responsible for delivering on the BWF’s three core training objectives: increasing recruitment into the sector; maintaining and developing high quality qualifications and delivery partners, and fostering a culture of continuous learning in the industry.

Robert Allinson – Membership Manger
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Robert leads on membership and manages member compliance to the BWF Code of Conduct.

Tracey Hemming – Office and Finance Manager
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Tracey manages the finance department and the office. She is the main point for contact for general invoicing and other financial queries.

Peter Clifton – BWF Schemes Manager
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Peter is the main point of contact for the both the BWF Fire Door Alliance and BWF Stair Scheme.

Kyle Johnson – Membership and Training Administrator
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Kyle deals with all queries regarding Membership and Training. He is the main point for contact for membership application and fee enquires.

Lewis Burrows – Digital Marketing Executive
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Lewis is the team’s digital marketing point of contact and looks after the Find A Member tool.

Amanda Chesson – Marketing & Communications Manager, WWA Lead
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Amanda is the main point of contact for all BWF marketing and communications enquiries and is the lead for the Wood Window Alliance.

The BWF Board of Directors

The BWF Board of Directors are all voluntary representatives from Member businesses.

Paul Bailey – President (Elected Officer), European Doorsets Ltd
Paul is the BWF President contributing to the organisation’s strategy. There are two areas in particular that Paul thinks are fundamental to ensuring growth continues: attracting young people with a passion for woodworking and communicating the benefits of wood to professional audiences and the general public.
David Oldfield – Vice President (Elected Officer), Arnold Laver Ltd
As Vice President of the BWF, David’s drivers are that we are a well-resourced organisation delivering exceptional values to members.
Andrew Madge – Treasurer (Elected Officer), Gowercroft Joinery Ltd
As Treasurer, Andrew has specific responsibilities for the BWF finances.
Sean Parnaby – Director (Past President), West Port Timber Windows & Doors Ltd
Stephen Wright – Director, George Barnsdale
Pauline Kelly – Director, E A Higginson & Co. Ltd
Helen Hewitt – Secretary, BWF

The BWF Council

The BWF Council are all voluntary representatives from Member businesses.

Specific Representatives:

Paul Bailey, European Doorsets – Chairman of Council
Andrew Madge, Gowercroft Ltd – BWF Treasurer
David Oldfield, Arnold Laver Ltd – BWF Fire Door Alliance Chair
Pauline Kelly, Higginson Staircases Ltd – BWF Stair Scheme Chair
Alison de Roeck, Kierson Ltd – BWF Wood Industry Training (WIT) Forum Chair

Ordinary Member of the Council:

Hannah Mansell, Masonite Premdor Crosby
Jonathan Bowers, MWC Holdings Ltd
Jim Horsman, Icklesham Joinery Limited
Paul Taylor, Canopy Products Limited
Roger Silk, Houghtons of York
Simon Badham, Arden Windows Ltd
Simon Walker SPS Windows
Tony Pell – JELD-WEN Ltd

Honorary Life Member of the Council:

Ian Purkis

Join the BWF Community

What is great about us as a trade association is that the team and our members are passionate about what they do, working together for the greater good of the industry. There are many opportunities for members to network with fellow joiners and manufacturers through our meetings programme. We would love for you to be a part of this, if you’re not already.

Find out more