Tabitha joined TRADA  as the University Programme Manager in 2017 after successfully delivering the ARWAIN funded Powys County Council ‘Homegrown Homes’ project for Woodknowledge Wales (WKW). Her positivity, tenacity and expertise in timber supply-chain development, helped WKW provide the practical knowledge, advice and support to Powys County Council – enabling the adoption of the first UK Wood Encouragement Policy.

Before joining Woodknowledge Wales, Tabitha worked for Welsh timber charity Coed Cymru for 6 years  where she successfully managed a European funded supply-chain development project working from forest to finished product involving growers, processors, manufacturers, architects, engineers, certification bodies and academia. Her early career was in timber product manufacture where she developed skills in specification, material sourcing, timber processing, product manufacture, logistics and sales.

To furthering her knowledge in construction design and energy efficiency, Tabitha qualified as a Passiv Haus consultant. Putting these skills to good use, she renovated her own home with natural materials. Using a holistic approach, concentrating on the material interfaces and minimising cold bridging has contributed to the enviable whole house energy requirements of less than 1800 kWh/pa.

Shayne has more than 20 years’ experience in housing and regeneration, working in both England and Wales.

After seven years in the private sector, Shayne came in to social housing working for Gloucester City Council and then for the Audit Commission managing their housing work in the South West of England.

As Deputy Chief Executive / Commercial Director of Wales and West Housing Association, Shayne is responsible for Development, Care & Support, PR & marketing, and Systems Thinking. In addition Shayne is chair of Shelter Cymru and Chair of Woodknowledge Wales.

Robin has been in Business Development, Sales and Marketing of construction materials throughout his career, working in Builders Merchants, moving onto Roofing Specialists and then in 2000  Timber Frame Manufacture.

The last sixteen years have been with a leading Welsh manufacturer – developing timber frame systems,  innovating with individual designs, pushing the boundaries of sustainable legislation and introducing Home Grown/Welsh Timber into the frame industry in Wales.

Robin was a member of the old Woodknowledge Wales Steering Group, for 10 years, contributing his valuable knowledge of the industry, its challenges and its networks.

Rachel is currently the Head of Poverty Prevention for the City and County of Swansea. Prior to this, Rachel worked with housing associations and construction companies to explore the potential for the use of Welsh timber in regeneration projects.

Through her company SOSAVI, Rachel worked for multiple clients across regeneration and business service industries to develop innovative projects, deliver contracts and achieve job creation targets, securing funds from the EU, Government, Sector Skills Councils, industry and the 3rd sector. Rachel has also worked with the CITB to create shared apprenticeships schemes.

Rachel will help us to better understand and catalyse the social value that can flow from the expansion of forestry and forest industries in Wales.

Jasper has been in partnership with his brother, Ben Meade, since 1993, founding Pen Y Coed Construction and Insulation Ltd.

His 25 years of experience working in the sustainable building industry and specialism in timber frame systems using Warmcel cellulose fibre insulation and other blown fibre insulation products, has developed his company’s extensive knowledge in this field.  Through embedded learning processes, continual improvements on design and quality building detailing, ensure that their buildings standards and performances reach best possible values.

One of Jaspers strengths is creating and maintaining a network of industry experts to work with. He believes his own team are vital to the business and is proud of PYC’s ‘Gold Investors’ in People Award; the incorporation of continuing training, is his companies’ key to innovation and sustainability in the industry. He regularly attends Passivhaus seminars and runs ongoing successful architect CPD seminar events around the country.

His willingness to serve on the Wood knowledge Wales board  demonstrates his passion for the sustainable of the construction Industry.

Doug grew up in Mid Wales, surrounded by trees.

He has worked and studied internationally, the experience of which has taught him the value of designing sustainable buildings that not only look and feel inspiring but work as practical and uplifting solutions to living well.

Doug is committed to exploring the untapped potential of Welsh timber and for Wales to become a world leader in delivering exemplary architectural and structural solutions using home grown materials. Since 2001 Doug has been Director of Hughes Architects which now has offices in Cardiff as well as in Powys and Ceredigion.