TRADA appoints Chairman from non-timber industry

Michael Cook has been appointed as Chairman of TRADA at the association's AGM.

FREng, MA (Cantab), PhD, CEng, FIStructE, and FCIOB, Michael is the first non-timber industry member to take the chair in TRADA's history.

After graduating from Cambridge in 1977, Dr Cook worked with Ted Happold and Frei Otto at Arup on lightweight shell and membrane structures, undertaking research and development of air-supported structures.

He joined Buro Happold in 1982, progressing to Partner in 1995 and is now responsible for the development of Building Engineering within Buro Happold worldwide.

He also chairs the Education Panel of the Institution of Structural Engineers, is Adjunct Professor of Creative Design at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College, and an external examiner at the Architectural Association, London.

His first task as Chairman was to unveil TRADA's Vision for the future to members.

The Vision document states: We will provide a focal point for the timber industry and a respected, authoritative voice for timber in the public arena; We will influence policy, legislation, regulation and standards to enhance the appropriate and safe use of timber; We will help develop timber's position as the pre-eminent material for sustainable construction.

Members at the AGM also paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Simon Fineman, who remains on the Board, and to Directors John Perry, a past Chairman as his father before him, and Mark Silverman, who are standing down after 14 and 7 years' service respectively.

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