The nominated vice president of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Sean Parnaby, managing director of West Port Timber Windows and Doors, has been appointed as acting president with immediate effect, following the departure this week of Cliff Thrumble.

Cliff Thrumble was managing director of Boyland Joinery, and was appointed BWF president in July. However, due to a restructuring of the Boyland group of companies, his firm cannot remain a member of the BWF. This means a new president must be appointed from within the membership.

Mr Thrumble said: “It is with sincere regret that I am forced to stand-down as president of the BWF. I am a joiner at heart and have been a longstanding supporter of the BWF and very much value all of the work that its team delivers and the industry we represent.

“I would have been very proud to represent the industry and I was very much looking forward to my time in office and working with the BWF members. Due to a restructuring of my business interests, however, this is no longer a possibility.”