The nominated vice president of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Sean Parnaby, managing director of West Port Timber Windows and Doors, has been appointed as acting president with immediate effect, following the recent departure of Cliff Thrumble. Paul Bailey of European Doorsets is to assume the dual role of treasurer and vice president.
Cliff Thrumble was managing director of Boyland Joinery, and was appointed BWF president in July. However, due to a restructuring of the Boyland group of companies, his firm cannot remain a member of the BWF. This means a new president must be appointed from within the membership.
Cliff Thrumble said: “It is with sincere regret that I am forced to stand-down as president of the BWF. I am a joiner at heart and have been a longstanding supporter of the BWF and very much value all of the work that its team delivers and the industry we represent. I would have been very proud to represent the industry and I was very much looking forward to my time in office and working with the BWF members. Due to a restructuring of my business interests, however, this is no longer a possibility. I wish the BWF all the very best for the future and am sure that the organisation and membership will go on to thrive in this exciting post Brexit Britain.”
Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF, said: “This has obviously been a very sudden and difficult decision for Cliff and we are all very sad to see Boyland Joinery closing. It’s a huge loss to the industry. Thankfully the BWF has a very strong and committed board, and all the directors have agreed that Sean Parnaby should take on the leadership role of president as quickly as possible. This will ensure continued stability for the BWF and continued momentum towards our goals for the years ahead.”
Sean Parnaby said: “We are all very grateful for the time and dedication Cliff has given to the BWF as a long-standing director and in his last few weeks as president. I am now very pleased to be able to support the BWF and our industry in this role.
“My priorities are to continue implementing the strategy agreed by the BWF Board, including actions to help tackle the ongoing skills crisis, initiatives to grow membership, and creating new ways for the BWF to engage and help member firms in a patently uncertain and fast-changing market. Through working together and getting engaged with our trade body, my belief is that joinery manufacturing and woodworking firms across the UK can become stronger: more professional, more efficient and more resilient.”
Sean Parnaby has been managing director at West Port for almost 13 years, and has over 20 years’ experience of public sector development. He also chairs the Wood Window Alliance in the UK.
