Summary
• David Francis of DHH is the new TTBS president.
• He takes over from Richard Bagnall.
• Fundraising is increasingly important as the recession affects investments.

DHH director David Francis added another title to an already long list of presidential roles when he accepted the position of president of the Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society (TTBS) at its annual general meeting on May 13.

It’s a role Mr Francis (former chairman of the TTF’s National Panel Products Division and the Plywood Club of London and current president of the Plywood Luncheon Club) has great pride in taking up: “I came into the timber trade in 1964 and have always believed in putting something back,” he said. “The timber trade has been good to me and I believe if you’ve earned your living in a responsible manner, you should do your bit.”

He takes over from Richard Bagnall of Robbins Timber whose two-year term of office had its fair share of successes. “I thought Barbara Cartwright [president from 2005-07] was a hard act to follow, but Richard has acquitted himself well and with dignity,” said Mr Francis.

Raising the profile

Both former and current presidents share a determination to raise the profile of the society. Mr Francis hopes to achieve more recognition for the district committees at grass roots level while Mr Bagnall cites engaging the shop floor workforce and increasing the number of beneficiaries as two of his targets.

“We had found that outside of trade and association dinners around the country – where people had donated generously – they didn’t have much contact with the TTBS,” said Mr Bagnall.

“Our goal has been made more difficult by the changing nature of the trade,” he continued. “Historically a lot of support – from a work rather than a financial point of view – has come from independents, many of which have been swallowed up by the nationals. This has also made our route to potential beneficiaries more convoluted.

Poster campaign

“We addressed this by sending out a poster with TTJ and asking companies to put it up on their staff noticeboards where there was more chance of it being seen by the workforce who we felt were more likely to still be in touch with potential beneficiaries. We’ve had several requests for support as a direct result of this,” he said.

“This greater awareness of the society throughout the trade is terrific,” agreed David Francis, “but I’d also like the trade to be more aware of the great work the district committees do. I’d like them to be recognised by everyone in the same way members at the national level are recognised.

“The TTBS relies greatly on income from investments, but a lot more could be done by people within the timber trade if they knew about this regional work,” he said. “The trade should make the connection.”

Capital fund

Fundraising has become even more important thanks to the impact the economic downturn has had on the income from the TTBS’s capital fund. The fund was around £2.2m pre-recession and dipped to £1.6m before judicious investment management raised it to £1.7m.

“One can argue that the capital base in itself isn’t crucial, but the income it generates is,” said Mr Bagnall. “A constantly recurring question is ‘how large should the fund be to support the work we do?’” he added.

“Pre-recession the fund generated about 50% of our income, with the balance coming from fundraising events and donations. The reduced capital base means a reduced income and to carry on without eroding the capital fund further by selling shares, we need to raise more money from fundraising and donations to maintain – and increase – current levels of support for our beneficiaries.”

The events of the past year or so have demonstrated the TTBS’s “prudent management” of its funds, said Mr Bagnall. “Our policy of having a balance between not having too much money in a capital fund but, equally, making sure we have enough to carry us through times like these, has proved to be right,” he said.

Ramping up the fundraising efforts will inevitably mean more work for the already hardworking committee members but, as Messrs Francis and Bagnall say, there is a solid commitment to the society among the timber trade – this year’s National Golf Day is a sell-out, for example.

“Being president has undoubtedly been demanding on time, but equally it’s been a very pleasant and rewarding experience. I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who do so much work for the TTBS – often unsung – and that’s what keeps the organisation what it is today,” said Mr Bagnall.