Q&A with Crawford Churchill, President of the Scottish Timber Trade Association
Crawford Churchill, NTG Scotland Trading Manager, took up the prestigious role of President of the Scottish Timber Trade Association (STTA) in January. We caught up with him six months into his two-year term to find out what’s involved …
Q Firstly, what is the STTA?
CC The STTA exists to promote, inform and educate on all matters timber-related in Scotland. We support connectivity across the supply chain, boost marketing and promote political interaction. STTA also provides support on technical timber issues in association with Timber Development UK.
STTA was established in the early 1900s. Our company members represent the timber supply chain from forestry and primary sawmilling to engineered and treated timbers, including tropical hardwoods.
Q What have you been doing as President of the STTA?
CC As president I take an active role in arranging our quarterly meetings and act as the compere. I and other members submit reports on different segments of the market and there is usually a guest speaker on a timber-related topic. We have also had our biannual STTA dinner where I host the evening and give a speech.
A particular highlight to date has been our ‘Timber in Construction Net Zero’ event at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. A number of government ministers and MSPs attended and we had stands for TDUK, CONFOR (Confederation of Forest Industries) and the Structural Timber Association as well as hardwood, particle board and plywood representatives.
Q How is the STTA involved in timber education and training?
We have sponsored three CPD sessions for RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) so far this year on responsible purchasing, embodied carbon and cladding.
In November we will be running a treatment training course including cladding for employees of STTA member organisations.
Q Have you always worked in the timber industry?
CC Not quite. My first job after leaving college was in personal finance in the days when the base rate was 15.5% and typical APRs on personal loans were 40%! After six months I decided it wasn’t for me and left to join a family run timber importer and sawmill business in 1986. I’ve been in the timber trade ever since.
I worked for Rowan Timber Supplies for 23 years where I was commercial manager. I joined Thornbridge, part of National Timber Group, in 2018 where I initially looked after timber procurement and helped develop sales.
As trading manager for NTG Scotland I work within the purchasing team looking after timber procurement for Scotland and I’m also involved in sales where I look after a number of accounts and give sales support to NTG and our branch network.
I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.
Q How long have you been involved with the STTA?
CC I started attending STTA meetings approximately 25 years ago when it opened up its doors to companies that were not members of the Timber Trade Federation but were happy to join a local branch.
I became vice president and a committee member in January 2023. Everyone involved with STTA acts in a voluntary capacity. We’re very lucky to have such an enthusiastic membership who are passionate about promoting the benefits of using timber in construction.
Q What type of companies can join the association?
CC Membership of the STTA is open to sawmillers, timber merchants, timber agents, builders’ merchants and others engaged in the supply of timber and wood products in Scotland. Membership is also open to companies who supply goods and services in the timber supply chain in Scotland.
Q What’s next for the STTA over the coming two years?
CC The trade is continually evolving. If someone had told me 25 years ago we would need to write a fully exhaustive list of procedures, amend or invest in our software systems and paperwork then spend £1000s every year for the privilege of selling chain of custody goods I would have laughed.
There’s a lot coming over the horizon – EPDs, Timber Fire Regulations, UKCA marking to name but a few – and it’s incumbent on us as an association to keep our members informed.
We are also pushing government along with other organisations for the inclusion of a Part Z in the Building Regulations which would require builders to calculate the amount of embodied carbon in a project.
On a personal level I hope to increase the membership and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere within our association.
I would also like to see more diversity within the association with more women becoming involved. The exception of course is our secretary Nicola Aitken who does an amazing job but it would be good to see more women on the committee.
For more information on the Scottish Timber Trade Association visit stta.org.uk/
