Mr King, who is commercial director at SCA Timber Supply, said it would be a privilege to hold the position for the next two years.
"It’s a privilege even to be asked," he said. "I’m a major supporter of the TTF and its aims
.
"It has become a robust operation with wide, deep scope and reach in the supply chain and I will endeavour to do my best in following the example set by Martin Gale in this role."
Martin Gale, who held the presidency for three years, said that the role had enabled him to give something back to the industry he loved and that had given him a good living over the past 30 years.
He added that he had enjoyed the time he had spent working on TTF business and seeing the progress that had been made.
"This has been down to the legwork of John White and his team," he said. "We wouldn’t be making this progress and generating new ideas for action without them.
"Stephen inherits a good ship – and there’s plenty of ocean out there to cover."
John White, who was reappointed to the position of chief executive at the AGM, agreed that the federation was in good shape and performing strongly.
"Membership has nearly doubled in the last eight years [his tenure as chief executive] and some big names have rejoined.
"We have also increased the quantity and quality of the services we offer."
Mr White went on to say that one of the TTF’s areas of activity was in harmonising supply chain representation.
"The trade made excellent progress in signing the Timber Industry Accord but the coming together of the trade bodies needs to increase pace.
"There is serious money out there if we could use other [company and trade associations] financial and human resources. I want to challenge the industry to join in meaningful debate about what I call the ‘competitive representational deficit’. If we do, the prize is enormous."
