David Venables, has a specialised background in hardwood, with a BSc in Timber Technology and more than 20 years experience in the international marketing of hardwood products. He is responsible for their promotional and marketing programmes in Europe, the Middle East and India. David is an acknowledged expert on wood markets and the uses and applications of hardwood species and products. He has developed a number of technical publications for the AHEC, including the “Guide to American Hardwoods”. He is an experienced speaker, frequently making presentations on American hardwoods and other wood related topics, to trade, manufacturing and architectural audiences worldwide.
For the past ten years, Roderick has travelled and researched the hardwood markets of North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and India. He is a recognised authority on the trends and issues concerning the trade and consumption of wood products across these regions and beyond and an acknowledged expert on the uses and market applications of hardwood species and products. Working internationally, he specialises in hardwood market analysis and promotion and offers private confidential market analysis and marketing advice, on a long term or project basis to a wide range of government and corporate clients, including the American Hardwood Export Council, for whom he worked from 1999 to 2003.
Rupert Oliver is an internationally recognised independent authority with 20 years experience on environmental issues related to the timber trade and forest management. He has travelled widely, studying forestry practices and market development in North America, Europe, the Far East, and Africa. He is regularly consulted by international and national agencies in the international forest products sector and is a regular speaker at international conventions. He is a strong believer in the contribution that forestry and timber can make to sustainable development. He holds a Masters degree in Forest Business Administration. He is Director of Forest Industries Intelligence Limited.
Bob has been working in the hardwood industry for over 30 years, 12 of which he served as the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s Chief Inspector, and is extremely well known by the US hardwood sector. He also has experience from working for a number of private firms within the hardwood trade over recent years, but this year sees him rejoin the NHLA as their ‘International Grading Consultant’. He continues to travel extensively with AHEC, providing grading seminars all over the world, teaching the NHLA grading rules. Bob also submits a regular ‘Grading Q & A’ article for distribution by AHEC.
Lucy Peacock has been working for AHEC for the last 10 years and is responsible for co-ordinating the promotional events in Europe, Middle East and India as well as running the Public Relations programme with the European Director, which plays an important part of AHEC’s marketing strategy. Lucy is also the Personal Assistant to the European Director, David Venables.
Melissa has worked for AHEC since February 2007 and is currently the Programme Coordinator. She works very closely with the Programme Manager coordinating and handling logistics for all events and activities in Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa, as well as facilitating the distribution of the PR coverage to AHEC’s internal press contacts. She also helps with general administrative duties for the office.
Melissa is on maternity leave until January 2010.
Belinda joined AHEC in November 2008. She works closely with the rest of the team in projects and events in Europe, Middle East and India. She also works in the website development.