Clear, practical timber knowledge for real projects
Gain clear, practical understanding of how timber behaves, how it should be specified, and how to make confident decisions on real projects. This focused, in-person, one-day course introduces the core principles of species selection, strength classes, durability, moisture behaviour and service classes—giving attendees the knowledge needed to avoid common pitfalls and improve build quality.
Designed for foresters, designers, contractors, surveyors and anyone working with timber in construction, Timber 101 blends technical insight with accessible, real world guidance. Delivered by Woodknowledge Wales and Filros Timber, the session provides a solid foundation for responsible, informed timber use across modern building projects.
Location 1: Woodknowledge Wales, 22 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ
Date: 22 October 2026: 0930-1600
Location 2: central London, tbc
Date: 24 November 2026: 0930-1600
Cost: Non-members £200 + VAT per person before 30 September (£300 + VAT per person full price)
Members £100 + VAT per person
Book your place via Eventbrite
Speakers: Phil O’Leary and Dr Andy Pitman, Filros Timber
Phil is Director of Filros Timber Consultancy which provides specialist independent consultancy across the timber sector. Previously he was head of Timber Consultancy at BM TRADA, the technical authority behind TRADA. With over 30 years of post-qualifying experience working with timber across design, specification, structural grading and in-service performance, Phil has published in local and international journals about wood science.
Phil’s background combines formal wood science expertise, decades of applied industry experience, leadership in standards and organisations and specialises in:
- condition surveys of historic buildings, performance assessments and determining the structural strength of timber in many situations
- timber quality, performance characteristics, deterioration and preservation
- serving as an expert witness in establishing the causes of timber failures
- developing and presenting highly regarded topical and bespoke training courses on a range of timber subjects.
Phil is chairman of BSI’s Wood Preservation Committee and a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Committee. He is also Chair of the Woodknowledge Wales Board.
Delivery team (l. to r.):
Dr Andy Pitman, Phil O’Leary, Liz Walder
Wood scientist Andy Pitman specialises in understanding the performance of wood in service. He holds a Masters in Forest Industries Technology and completed his PhD with the Mary Rose Trust investigating the conservation archaeological timbers.
A Fellow of the IOM3 and past Chairman of the Wood Technology Society, Andy worked with BM TRADA in research, development and testing of timber products including modified woods and is author of TRADA’s Wood Information Sheet on Modified Wood. He is a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical Committee and was a member of the British Standards Committee dealing with British and European standards relating to wood protection.
Andy has worked across the supply chain, delivering CPD training to architects and engineers on behalf of the RIBA, Wood for Good and TRADA. Prior to working with Filros Timber Consultancy, he worked in R&D for a start-up LIGNIA for four years developing a resin impregnated modified timber which has provided experience in working with resin and adhesive providers and laminators in the UK and Europe, working with investors and commissioning testing services from Europe and North America.
Andy is trained to visually strength grade softwoods and hardwoods and CQI IRCA ISO 9001:2015, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and PEFC Lead Auditor. He also routinely undertakes visual inspections of the quality of timber products for UK timber merchants.
Technical support for the event will be delivered by Liz Walder, Woodknowledge Wales.
