New member of Confor team

A well-known face in the forestry and timber sector joins the Confor team this week to provide support to members in England.

Jez Ralph, who has a wide range of forestry and timber interests, will provide part-time maternity cover for England Manager Caroline Harrison, who is expecting a baby in July.

He is an experienced forester who will combine his existing part-time work at Hooke Park - the Architectural Association’s working forest in Dorset - with Confor duties.

Confor Chief Executive Stuart Goodall said: "We wish Caroline all the very best and will miss her while she’s away, but it’s also great to have someone with Jez’s knowledge and experience to provide cover until her return."

Jez Ralph also operates a consultancy Timber Strategies, which aims to "capitalise on innovations by growing better timber, processing higher-value products, being more efficient within the supply chain and using more timber products in everyday applications."

Stuart Goodall added: "Jez is a great thinker and innovator in the forestry and timber world and will be a tremendous asset to the team."

Jez can be contacted on jez@confor.org.uk. His working days will normally be Thursday and Friday.