Timber expert, Dr Andrew Pitman recently returned to global testing, certification and inspection specialist, BM TRADA as its Principal Technical Consultant.
Having spent six years in alternative roles including a start-up manufacturer of resin-modified wood and a construction engineering company, Andrew recently re-joined the business in August 2022. His return to BM TRADA is driven by his passion for the sustainable use of wood products and interest in protection and performance of timber in service.
Andrew, whose new role involves responsibility for disputes relating to timber product performance, said: “I’m thrilled to return to BM TRADA, particularly as my colleagues imparted so much of their expertise during my previous tenure. Over the next 12 months, I’m looking forward to applying my experience of investigating performance of timbers in service. I’m also keen to build on my knowledge of timber coatings while supporting industry peers through timber training.”
Andrew spent 11 years in academia in the field of timber technology before developing his expertise as a timber conservation consultant. He then worked as a Technical Consultant for BM TRADA between 2007 and 2015. Throughout his career he has had stints on several technical committees relating to protection of wood, is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials (IOM3), member of the International Research Group Wood Protection (IRG-WP), and was previously President of the Wood Technology Society.
“The days of plentiful virgin growth logs from which large, long, near-perfect structural timbers could be cut are long gone,” Andrew said. “What adds fuel to the fire is the ever-changing regulatory landscape. For this reason, the approach to timber construction requires adjustment. It’s crucial to understand the impacts on trade and end-use of timber which is why this role is so exciting for me.”
Andrew’s return comes after Dr Keerthi Ranasinghe and Ben Sharples made the same choice to re-join the business in 2021, both of whom were previously long-standing members of the timber division.
Keerthi worked for BM TRADA from 2008 to 2017 as an in-house structural timber engineering expert, and was responsible for the highly successful timber engineering publication: Eurocode 5 Span Tables 4th edition for solid timber members in floors, ceilings and roofs for dwellings. When he returned to academia as Senior Lecturer & Programme Director for the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Civil Engineering programme in 2017, he remained a member of BM TRADA’s Advisory Committee, continuing to consult and write on behalf of the timber team.
Commenting on his full-time return to BM TRADA’s timber team in 2021, Keerthi, Principal Engineer – Structural Timber said: “The variety of the projects that BM TRADA’s timber experts are asked to engage in makes this a fascinating place to work for a curious mind. I look forward to applying my teaching within a professional setting, helping suppliers and manufacturers to develop their understanding of the essential requirements relevant to their products.”
Having left BM TRADA in 2019 after six and a half years as a Timber Technical Consultant and gaining two years’ experience managing housing projects for leading developers, Ben Sharples also returned in 2021. Since then, Ben has been the Commercial Lead for the Timber Services division.
“Having worked for several years in the construction industry, I was completely new to Timber Technology when I first joined BM TRADA. I cannot thank my supportive team for their part in my professional development.” Ben said. “It’s been a pleasure to re-join and work alongside this team of timber experts. We have a long-term focus on optimising the services that we offer as well as developing and growing in other areas that tie in with the level of expertise that we have.”
For more information on BM TRADA’s timber services, please visit: www.bmtrada.com/timber-services
