John Prescott MP, one of the key political figures of the Blair government, will be the host and guest speaker at the 13th TTJ Awards this year.
In 1997, following Labour’s election victory, Mr Prescott was appointed secretary of state for environment, transport and the regions and, following the 2001 general election, he took on the newly-created office of deputy prime minister.
Arguably his most significant achievement in his new role was to lead negotiations at the Kyoto international climate change conference which resulted in the first international treaty on the issue.
Mr Prescott is also recognised for his keen interest in regeneration and launched the Design for Manufacture competition for builders to deliver sustainable housing at a build cost of £60,000.
This led to the Carbon Challenge competition, with both initiatives credited with boosting UK interest in and demand for timber frame housing. Having left office in 2006, he continues to advise the Chinese on their plans to build a thousand new ‘sustainable’ cities.
This year, with his wife Pauline, Mr Prescott fronted the BBC2 documentary Prescott: The Class System and Me.
“Of course there were jokes about John Prescott being a big hitter after he punched a member of the public who threw an egg at him,” said TTJ editor Mike Jeffree.
“But he was also, and still is, a big hitter politically. He was at the forefront of key international developments to combat climate change and drove the construction of affordable, sustainable housing in the UK – both of which have had vital implications for the timber trade in this country, and abroad.”
The TTJ Awards will take place in London on September 17. For ticket information contact Natasha Denney on 020 8269 7833.
