Woodknowledge Wales

Woodknowledge Wales

Inspiring innovation through collaboration

Connect and create for transformation, impact and possibility

The need for transformation in our built environment has never been greater. As the climate crisis accelerates, we must embrace new ways of thinking, designing, and building. Timber and regenerative construction offer powerful solutions, but their success depends on collaboration across industries. WoodBUILD 2025 is the place to connect with experts, spark innovation, and create impact. Join us to explore bold ideas, forge new partnerships, and shape a future where sustainable materials and resilient design lead the way.

Since its launch in 2016, WoodBUILD has grown into Wales’ leading event for the timber industry and low-carbon housing. Building on the success of last year’s dynamic gathering, WoodBUILD 2025 promises two action-packed days of inspiring speakers, expert exhibitors, thought-provoking panels, interactive plenaries, hands-on demonstrations, and collaborative workshops. Join over 250 industry leaders on 3-4 June in Llandudno to connect, innovate, and drive meaningful change.

Venue: St George’s Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2LG

WoodBUILD 2025 will unite timber and construction stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and drive opportunities for meaningful change.

NOTE: This year at WoodBUILD 2025, the IStructE, RIBA, and CIBSE are co-curating a “Myth Busting – Designing and Building with Timber” session to address common misunderstandings, particularly around UK timber.
Please contribute to this work and help shape the session, by responding to our short survey.

Quick view programme

09:00  Arrivals, refreshments, exhibition and networking
09:30  Opening welcome – Rachel Cook
09:45  Plenary 1: Principles for Responsible Timber Construction
– The age of transformation – a presentation from Gary Newman, CEO
– Principles for Responsible Timber Construction: what it means in practice – a conversation with Paul King & Anna-Lisa McSweeney and the Woodknowledge Wales team.
11:00  Parallel breakout sessions
– Option 1: Taking embodied carbon into account
– Option 2: Timber 101 – making wood work in the built environment
– Option 3:  Future of timber – new woodlands for Welsh timber
– Option 4: Forest industries education – a Call to Action
12:30  Lunch, exhibition, networking
13:40  Parallel breakout sessions
– Option 1: Myth busting – designing and building with timber
– Option 2: Timber 101 – making wood work in the built environment
– Option 3: Future Generations -Sustainable Schools for the Future
– Option 4: Future of timber – managing  woodlands for timber 
15:00  Refreshments, exhibition and networking
15:30  Plenary 2: Connecting knowledge to action
16:45  Wrap up – Rachel Cook
17:00  CLOSE
19:00  Networking and dinner

09:00  Arrivals, refreshments, exhibition and networking
09:30 Welcome to Day 2 – Rachel Cook
09:45  Plenary 3: People and skills for a high-value forest nation
– Ministerial video address – Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
– What we expect of the future – hear from Gen Z.
– Turbulent times: Managing skills needs and sector transformation – a panel debate
11:00  Parallel breakout sessions
– Option 1: Regenerative materials first
– Option 2: Embracing accountability – integrating ecosystem services into sustainability 
– Option 3: Defining the skills needs for manufacturing timber frame and joinery
12:30  Lunch, exhibition, networking
13:40  Parallel breakout sessions
– Option 1: Future generations -Sustainable Schools for the Future
– Option 2: Carbon – are we barking up the right tree?
– Option 3: Sawmilling – working with government to deliver policies
15:00  Plenary 4: Transforming ambition into action
16:00 Conference close – Rachel Cook

Full programme

Please note this programme represents our best understanding of events at this stage but remains subject to potential updates prior to the event.
Expand each section to explore further…

DAY 1:  Connecting knowledge to action

From hands-on upskilling to deep dives into timber design, forest management and workforce development, day 1 offers practical sessions, live demonstrations, inspiration and provocations around the five Principles for Responsible Timber Construction. Whether you’re in housing, design, manufacturing or construction, in education or in policy —this is your space to connect, share and act.

Kick off your WoodBUILD experience at the hotel’s main reception, where our friendly team will be ready to greet you at the WoodBUILD desks. Pick up your badge, sign up for workshops, and then head downstairs to enjoy refreshments, meet fellow attendees, and explore our vibrant exhibition space.
The buzz starts here—welcome to Day 1!

To kick things off, our fantastic MC Rachel Cook who runs Networks for Woodknowledge Wales, will take the stage with a warm welcome and a look ahead at what’s in store. Get ready for a day packed with fresh ideas, big conversations, and plenty of inspiration.

The Principles for Responsible Timber Construction set a clear, ambitious, and achievable framework to build trust, align policies, and drive investment in sustainable timber construction for the future of forests and cities. They are guiding our transformation as an industry along the value chain from natural to built environment. 

The age of transformation – presented by Gary Newman, CEO  

Principles for Responsible Timber Construction – what it means in practice  
Join Paul King, Anna-Lisa McSweeney, and the Woodknowledge Wales team for a conversation exploring the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction. Together, we’ll unpack why these principles are needed, what they mean in practical terms for businesses on the ground, and how they apply across the timber value chain.

We’ll ask:
– What skills must we develop?
– What business models should we adopt?
– What investments are required to put these principles into action?

In short, we’ll examine how the principles connect to your work—and what they mean in practice for every stakeholder from forest to finished building.

Make your way downstairs to the Menai Suite on the basement level to enjoy refreshments and network with your peers as you peruse our 20 indoor and outdoor exhibition stands. This is where connections are made!

Option 1: Taking embodied carbon into account

While decarbonisation is a major focus in the industry, there still remain some questions on the how and why to take embodied carbon into account when considering whole life carbon of a project. This session provides you with the facts and figures you need in practice. You will learn about the new Home-Grown Homes Embodied Carbon tool, developed for architects and social housing developers, how it works, where it’s relevant in the planning and building process and how architects and clients can use the tool in their interactions. We’ve invited practitioners who have tried the tool to share their user experience on limitations and advantages of this tool with you during the session.

Option 2: Timber 101 – Making wood work in the built environment

A unique discussion around home-grown timber, its properties, opportunities, and limitations. Best practice tips and tricks for maximising its potential to decarbonise the built environment with hands-on demonstrations from our favourite wood scientists. One of our most popular workshops in 2024!

Option 3:  Future of Timber: new species and forest composition?

How to create resilient woodlands that will provide timber in the future. What species to choose. What challenges present and what opportunities are there to overcome these. What can we learn from experiments and experience elsewhere in Europe?

Option 4: Forest industries education – a Call to Action

This interactive session is a call to action for companies along the wood value chain to come together and discuss tangible actions that would support bringing students onto Further and Higher Education courses. A hands-on approach to tackling the skills and the recruitment crisis.

It’s time to recharge and reconnect. Make your way downstairs to the Menai Suite for a buffet lunch and refreshing drinks. As you refuel, take the opportunity to explore the exhibition and strike up a conversation—you never know where a good chat might lead.

Option 1: Myth busting – designing and building with timber

Co-curated with RIBA, IstructE and CIBSEthis interactive session is based around questions to ask when engaging with the supply chain around timber, where to go for good practice, and busting some of the most popular myths about the advantages and disadvantages of using timber in a variety of contexts and building typologies.

Option 2: Timber 101 – Making wood work in the built environment

A unique discussion around home-grown timber, its properties, opportunities, and limitations. Best practice tips and tricks for maximising its potential to decarbonise the built environment with hands-on demonstrations from our favourite wood scientists. One of our most popular workshops in 2024!

Option 3: Future generations – Sustainable schools for the future

Looking at the example of Cymbrogi, this session is designed to provide tangible information and ignite further ideas on how forest industry organisations can engage with schools. How can sawmillers, timber frame manufacturers, joiners and builders work with schools on the development of skills and sustainable solutions? How can the industry present innovative ideas to an authentic, real-world audience.

Option 4: Future of timber – wood from adaptive silvicultural systems

How to manage woodlands for resilience that will provide timber in the future. How to make best use of timber from these silvicultural systems. What challenges present and what opportunities are there to overcome these. What can we learn from experiments elsewhere in Europe?

Join us again downstairs in the Menai Suite (basement level) for refreshments, good conversation, and a chance to connect with peers in a space designed to inspire collaboration and innovation.

After a full day of workshops, this closing session draws on the collective insights and experiences of the conference community. Together, we’ll explore how the ideas and actions developed throughout the day align with the principles of responsible timber construction. We’ll identify emerging opportunities for our stakeholder community to increase its impact—and consider the next steps to get us there. This session sets the direction for future activities that turn knowledge into action.

A review of day 1 and a look ahead to day 2 with our MC, Rachel Cook.

An informal gathering around a hot buffet and drinks in the beautiful Wedgewood room will allow us all to keep the buzz going, listen to a few impromptu announcements and celebrate some off-programme successes as we all enjoy some locally prepared food.

Perhaps you might then wish to walk with us along the beautiful promenade and along LLandudno’s spectacular example of a great, British seaside pier to enjoy a fresh sea breeze and a pint at the Ocean bar. Why not bring some petty cash and try some of the fresh baked doughnuts or an ice cream and take a spin on the Big Wheel? We should all enjoy a little fun when we can. A great way to support the local economy while you relax, wind down, and find your second wind for tomorrow’s programme.

DAY 2:  Scaling up ambition to embrace transformation

Looking at the bigger picture, day 2 will home in on policy requirements, education, skills and recruitment, and the future of regenerative materials. Hear from diverse voices and join cross-sector debates that advance our thinking and challenge our perceptions as an industry. Connect with stakeholders along the wood value chain and contribute to shaping the future of Welsh timber.

Welcome back! Head through the main reception and make your way downstairs to the Menai Suite on the basement level. Enjoy morning refreshments, reconnect with peers, and ease into another inspiring day at WoodBUILD.

Our brilliant MC, Rachel Cook, is back to give you a warm WoodBUILD welcome. She’ll guide us into Day 2 with a smile, a spark, and a quick look back at the highlights from Day 1—setting the tone for another day of insight, ideas, and inspiration.

The Timber Industrial Strategy lays the foundation for the sector to thrive but skills and recruitment present the single biggest issue across the entire value chain. Forecasts indicate this situation is likely to worsen. This session is looking more closely into the underlying questions of how to engage current and future generations and the requirements for transforming forestry and construction industries to remain vital and viable in order to contribute to the decarbonisation of our society.

Ministerial video address: Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government

What we expect of the future. Short video by young people currently exploring career options: what are they interested in and why, how do they see their future, what are their hopes

Turbulent times: Managing skills needs and sector transformation
Join policy makers, education providers, and industry leaders for a panel debate tackling the big questions around skills, education, and the future of our forest nation.

Together, we’ll explore:
– What skills are needed now and in the future?
– What do younger generations value, and how can we meet their needs?
– How must industry processes and working conditions evolve to attract and retain people at all skill levels?
– What policy frameworks are needed to support a thriving, future-ready workforce?

At the heart of the discussion: How can we become a thriving forest nation—today and for generations to come?

Feeling inspired? Stretch your legs and drop by the Menai Suite downstairs. With coffee brewing and conversations flowing, it’s the perfect moment to catch up with peers and dive back into our exhibition space—there’s always something new to discover.

Option 1: Regenerative materials first

The official launch of Regenerative Materials First, a hub that brings together innovators in construction around live trailblazer projects. This session gathers organisations of all types along the construction supply chain who have the energy, expertise and interest to embed the use of regenerative materials as a viable alternative to current mainstream construction materials. Together we will discuss processes, business models and legislative requirements for the circular economy.

Option 2: Embracing accountability – how to integrate ecosystem services accounting and LCA

Ecosystem services accounting is derived from natural capital, whilst in the built environment environmental damage is accounted for through the lens of LCA. Accounting for carbon and biodiversity is complex, and a variety of indicators exist. There is a lack of comparability. How could we arrive at an integrated approach? What are trends and opportunities? What role does artificial intelligence play in the space of natural intelligence?

Option 3: Defining the skills needs for manufacturing timber frame and joinery

Low-carbon building programmes are boosting the demand for timber framers and joiners. While colleges are increasingly struggling to fill joinery and carpentry courses, questions arise whether existing courses provide the skills and learning the industry needs today. This session brings together education providers, timber frame manufacturers and joinery manufacturers to discuss skills needs for a thriving industry.

Lunch is served—and so are the connections. Head downstairs to the Menai Suite once again for a buffet lunch that fuels both body and mind. Whether you’re diving into conversation or taking a final stroll through the exhibition, this is another opportunity to share ideas, swap stories, and sow the seeds of collaboration.

Option 1: Future generations: sustainable schools for the future

Looking at the example of Cymbrogi, this is your second chance to enjoy this session which is designed to provide tangible information and ignite further ideas on how forest industry organisations can engage with schools. How can sawmillers, timber frame manufacturers, joiners and builders work with schools on the development of skills and sustainable solutions? How can the industry present innovative ideas to an authentic, real-world audience.

Option 2: Carbon – are we barking up the right tree?

Recent reports coming out of the Home-Grown Homes Project are challenging our thinking about carbon so far. Are we focusing on the right questions, are we pursuing the right solutions? In this session we invite you to look more closely into this topic and its practical implications.

Option 3: Sawmilling – working with government to deliver policies

How can the sawmilling sector and Welsh Government work together to deliver on the Timber Industrial Strategy on the ground? Why is investing into smaller scale processors of high importance in the context of an evolving silvicultural landscape? What can we learn from experience in Scotland and the South West? This session brings together policy makers, sawmillers and industry experts to harvest lessons learned and develop actionable government-industry collaboration around these questions in Wales.

Join us downstairs in the Menai Suite (basement level) for refreshments, good conversation, and a chance to connect with peers in a space designed to inspire collaboration and innovation.

After a day of lively debate, thought-provoking presentations, and inspiring examples, we’ll come together to reflect on what we’ve heard—and to make sense of what it means for the future of our businesses, organisations, and wider stakeholder community.

We’ll ask ourselves:
– What new insights or challenges have emerged that require action?
– What are we ready to embrace, and how will we take it forward?
– What do we want to have achieved by the time we meet again in summer 2026?
– And what blind spots do we need to recognise and address moving ahead?

To guide this collective reflection and offer an external perspective, we’ve invited Professor Calvin Jones to serve as our Great Witness—a voice from outside the wood value chain, holding up a mirror to our community as we shape what comes next.

As we draw WoodBUILD to a close, join our brilliant MC Rachel Cook and the Woodknowledge Wales team for a final reflection on the insights, connections, and ideas we’ve shared over the past two days. Rachel will help us tie it all together—celebrating what we’ve learned, and looking ahead to what’s next.

All good things must wrap up (for now). Until next time, thank you!

Speaker list

We are currently pulling together our ideas for workshops. If you wish to participate in WoodBUILD 2025 as a speaker, please contact a relevant member of our team.

Sponsors and supporters

SO Modular is a specialist manufacturer of timber frame and modular building systems based in South Wales. They design, manufacture, and install precision-engineered, low-carbon solutions for the construction sector. Their offsite systems support efficient, sustainable housing delivery across the UK. With a strong focus on innovation and environmental performance, SO Modular offers a full-service approach—from in-house design and structural engineering to factory fabrication and on-site installation. Their advanced manufacturing facility enables consistent quality, reduced waste, and faster build times.

Timber Innovation from Baden-Württemberg is supported by Holzbau-Offensive BW and delivered in collaboration with industry, research institutions, and policymakers, the project aims to boost innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical applications in timber construction between Baden-Württemberg and the UK after Brexit. By showcasing leading timber technologies, sharing best practices, and facilitating collaboration, Timber Innovation BW is accelerating the transition toward sustainable, low-carbon building practices.

Bronwin & Abbey prides itself on offering a bespoke service that accommodates every individual owner’s requirements. It recognises the importance of making woodlands profitable and have a proven track record in maximising returns from timber sales and grants as well as a good knowledge of the newly developing carbon and natural capital markets.

In July 2022 Bronwin & Abbey Ltd became part of the Velcourt group of companies, now uniquely situated to offer independent land management and contracting in the rural sector.

FSC is a non-profit organisation, providing trusted solutions to help protect the world’s forests and tackle today’s deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. Its mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Its “tick-tree” logo is found on millions of products worldwide, verifying responsible sourcing from the forest to shelf.

FSC’s pioneering certification system, covering more than 160 million hectares of forest, enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry.

PEFC UK is the national member of PEFC International, the world’s leading forest certification system. It champions sustainable forest management and works to ensure that timber and wood-based products are sourced responsibly. Through its internationally recognised certification, the team provides assurance that forests are managed to the highest environmental, social, and ethical standards, supporting biodiversity, carbon reduction, and responsible supply chains, whilst also maintaining and enhancing the productive capacity of the forest.

As a trusted partner to the industry, they help businesses, specifiers, and the construction sector meet their sustainability commitments and navigate responsible sourcing requirements. The organisation recognises the vital role of timber in the transition to a low-carbon built environment and welcomes opportunities to collaborate to advance best practices in timber construction.

Saint-Gobain is a 350-year old global construction leader with a purpose to “make the world a better home”. Saint-Gobain Off-site solutions is the UK division dedicated to helping our customers build better homes, faster.

We do this by offering a range of thoughtfully designed large-format roof and walling components, all manufactured in factories under quality-controlled conditions to be delivered to site and assembled into high-performance, climate resistant homes quickly and easily – and we have the knowledge and experience to support you every step of the way from design to handover.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is the professional home of arboriculturists and foresters throughout the UK. Through our Royal Charter, only we can offer the titles of Chartered Arboriculturist and Chartered Forester. We support members throughout their careers in the promotion and delivery of sustainably managed trees and woodlands, while continually encouraging new entrants to ensure a prosperous future for the sector.

The ICF aims to increase public knowledge and appreciation of forestry and tree care, benefiting commercial, recreational, environmental, and scientific sectors.

Woodknowledge Wales have worked with the ICF to create soundbites and workshops within the WoodBUILD 2025 programme.

This event is part funded by Welsh Government.

We currently remain open to sponsor and exhibitor enquiries.

Exhibitors

We currently remain open to sponsor and exhibitor enquiries.

Bronwin & Abbey is a rural land management organisation that prides itself on offering a bespoke service that accommodates every individual owner’s requirements.

Celtic Offsite is a timber frame manufacturer of high-quality, sustainable timber frame homes, featuring factory-fitted insulation and windows.

Dietrich’s Technology offers proprietary design software for timber construction that adjusts to individual project requirements and working methods.

DynamicX brings ideas to life through immersive visual storytelling for construction, housing, and future-ready developments. 

FSC UK is a non-profit organisation, providing trusted solutions to help protect the world’s forests and tackle today’s deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges.

Hemp Block is a manufacturer of hemp blocks for use in building construction and offering numerous benefits that go beyond traditional construction materials.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) serves members and society to promote and deliver the sustainable management of trees and woodlands throughout the UK.

Knauf Insulation is the UK’s leading provider of high performance, sustainable glass and rock mineral wool insulation.

Lowfield Timber Frames is a timber frame manufacturer suppling a wide range of customers from self-builders, local small builders to large regional and national developers.

PEFC UK is a forest certification provider. It champions sustainable forest management and works to ensure that timber and wood-based products are sourced responsibly.

Pillo Woodfibre Insulation is a high-performance natural wood fibre insulation made from 100% recycled MDF waste using Pioneering technology.

PYC Insulation are the distributors of Warmcel cellulose fibre insulation, offering full technical support to designers, clients and the approved installers. 

Saint-Gobain is a construction component manufacturer offering a range of thoughtfully designed large-format roof and walling components, all manufactured off-site.

SIHGA is a manufacturer of precision-engineered fixings systems designed specifically for timber construction. SIHGA UK is operated by Russwood.

SO Modular specialises in off-site timber frame construction. Their off-site systems support efficient, sustainable housing delivery across the UK.

Stoneleigh Timber Engineering is a timber component manufacturer. Its tailored products include roof trusses and joists, staircases, cladding and glulam elements.

The Timber Cooperative is a producer and processor of high-quality, locally sourced, naturally durable timbers for environmentally-conscious building projects.

Timber Innovation BW is an initiative that supports timber SMEs navigating UK export opportunities post-Brexit. It is funded by Baden-Württemberg and hosted by Lignotrend.

Tŷ Gwyrddfai is a ground-breaking decarbonisation hub at the forefront of housing innovation and green skills. The facilitity is situated in Penygroes.

Unity Lime is a natural insulation products supplier. It offers breathable insulation systems for both new build and retro-fit projects, to include PAVATEX woodfibre insulation.

We currently remain open to sponsor and exhibitor enquiries.

Tickets

Full priceEarly Bird*
Two-day ticket£275£175
One-day ticket£175£125
WKW members (two-day pass with AGM)£150£115
Students**£75n/a
Conference dinner (3 June)£35n/a

*Early bird ticket offer ends 30 April 2025.
** Limited availability. Please note: For student tickets only bookings made from an academic email address are accepted.
All tickets give access to both conference and exhibition.

How we get there

This year’s event will take place at St George’s Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2LG

Arriving by train

Direct train services run to Llandudno from most parts of Britain. It is then only a ten minute walk from the station to the hotel. Useful websites include:

Arriving by car

Llandudno is a beautiful seaside town with ample parking but you are advised to plan your parking in advance. Please note that the hotel does not have car parking space available.

Please follow this link for information on car park locations and charges.

Pay and display car parks in Conwy.

Useful tip when visiting Conwy car parks

Some car parks use the PaybyPhone App – Why not download it before you travel to make it easier to pay when using one of the Conwy Council car parks

Accommodation options

There are many hotel, B&B, and guest house options in Llandudno. If you have the budget, why not splash out and stay at the beautiful St George’s Hotel? Other options can be found through your usual accommodation booking sites, but we recommend reserving early to avoid disappointment.

Visit Conwy offers a useful accommodation search based on specific criteria such as accessibility.