Peter Latham takes top PEFC International role

STTC participant Peter Latham has been elected chairman of PEFC International at its 21^st General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia.

Mr Latham, chairman of UK importer and distributor James Latham PLC, thanked his supporters in the election and said he was looking forward to his new role, but added that, for all its progress and growth, PEFC still had work ahead to increase timber and forestry sustainability certification globally.

“While we’ve been through a successful period as an organization, with significant growth in certified forest area, the number of new members and acceptance in public procurement schemes, we still face important challenges, and we need to face them together,” he said.

PEFC chief executive Ben Gunneberg said he was looking forward to working with Mr Latham.

“He brings with him great experience,” he said. “Not only has he been on the PEFC board since 2011, he was also the chairman of PEFC UK and heads one of Britain’s oldest and most respected timber trading companies. His knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to our organization as it moves forward towards the PEFC vision of a world where people manage forests sustainably.”