He succeeds Peter Hindle MBE, who stepped down last autumn.
Mr Wakeman will co-ordinate the new CTI strategy encouraging best practise and boosting a wide collaboration among the leading trade organisations and companies across the supply chain.
Mr Wakeman is a leading figure and driving force in the timber and joinery industry, having been president of the BWF (British Woodworking Federation) three times in his career, 1987, 2001 and 2013.
He was chairman of the Construction Confederation in 2001 and has previously chaired the Networking Forum for the Construction Products Association for 11 years.
Mr Wakeman has grown a number of well-known brands and businesses in the joinery manufacturing arena including Sarek Joinery with sales of £30m in 1984-90 and the LS Group of Performance Doorsets including the brands of Leaderflush, Shapland and Petter and Longden Doors with sales of £40m in 1995-2005.
He is currently CEO and chairman of the Performance Timber Products Group.
“I am delighted to accept both the role and challenge of the chairman of the CTI, and very much look forward to helping everyone involved in this great industry to consolidate and improve the leading position that timber holds as a modern material of choice,” he said.
“Having spent my whole life in the distribution, manufacture and marketing of timber and its end products, I will use all my experience to make sure that we continue to lead, innovate and increase our reputation.”
