The TTJ Awards went with a swing last week with 417 guests from across the timber industry and related sectors gathering for the presentations at a new venue – London’s Park Lane Hotel.

A champagne reception, sponsored by Finnforest UK, set the ball rolling and this year’s guest speaker, Alastair Campbell, who stepped in for Sebastian Coe at the 11th hour, presented the Awards with panache.

Top prize, the Timber Trader of the Year Award, went to Timbmet. The trophies were commissioned once again by The American Hardwood Export Council.

Alastair Campbell meets the sponsors

From left: Mark Plews from UCM Timber; Warren Dudding from Finnforest UK; Alastair Campbell; TTJ editor Mike Jeffree; and Tom Tong from Finnforest UK

From left: Keith Ainslie, Howie; Roger Mayor, Northwest Timber Treatments; Laura Howie, from Howie

From left: Keith Ainslie, Howie; Roger Mayor, Northwest Timber Treatments; Laura Howie, from Howie

Roger Southee, Foresbec UK (left) and John Kissock, James Jones & Sons Ltd

Roger Southee, Foresbec UK (left) and John Kissock, James Jones & Sons Ltd

From left: Debbie and Craig Curtis from Duo Marketing with Carol Stratford from TTJ

From left: Debbie and Craig Curtis from Duo Marketing with Carol Stratford from TTJ

Gerry Smyth (left) and Keith Henley, both from Buildbase

Gerry Smyth (left) and Keith Henley, both from Buildbase

From left: Tim Holland and George Briggs, Transit Medway; with Kevin Haselden, WE Haselden & Sons

From left: Tim Holland and George Briggs, Transit Medway; with Kevin Haselden, WE Haselden & Sons

Roy Wakeman, Mumford & Wood (left), with Todd Altman from Leaderflush Shapland

Roy Wakeman, Mumford & Wood (left), with Todd Altman from Leaderflush Shapland

From left: Jeremy Vibert, TRADA; and Sally Spencer and David Pittman, both from TTJ

From left: Jeremy Vibert, TRADA; and Sally Spencer and David Pittman, both from TTJ

Ian Rochester (left) and Alastair Kerr, both from the Wood Panel Industries Federation

Ian Rochester (left) and Alastair Kerr, both from the Wood Panel Industries Federation

From left: Arthur Duffy, Progressive Solutions; John Carney and Jacquie Capper, Cheshire Mouldings

From left: Arthur Duffy, Progressive Solutions; John Carney and Jacquie Capper, both from Cheshire Mouldings

John Bate, from Rowlinson Timber (left) and Robert Giddings from RF Giddings

John Bate, from Rowlinson Timber (left) and Robert Giddings from RF Giddings

Mike Commack (left) and Stephen Walt, both from Ridgeons Forest Products

Mike Commack (left) and Stephen Walt, both from Ridgeons Forest Products

Lucia di Stazio (left) and Alice Jackson, both from Michael Rigby Associates

Lucia di Stazio (left) and Alice Jackson, both from Michael Rigby Associates

Pat Jefferson and David Bowe from Rose Bank Sawmills

Pat Jefferson and David Bowe from Rose Bank Sawmills

From left: Rachel Miller, Snows Timber; Keith Fryer, T Brewer; and Barry Shrimpton from Snows

From left: Rachel Miller, Snows Timber; Keith Fryer, T Brewer; and Barry Shrimpton from Snows

John McCann (left) and Stuart Davies, both from ADP Commercial Systems

John McCann (left) and Stuart Davies, both from ADP Commercial Systems

From left: Rob Simpson, SCA Graham Southard, Emma Brooks, both Howarth; Milton Sills, Alloway Timber

From left: Rob Simpson, SCA; Graham Southard, Emma Brooks, both Howarth; Milton Sills, Alloway Timber