The Structural Timber Association (STA) has appointed Paul Newman as Technical Director.

Newman brings more than 30 years of experience within the timber and construction industries to the role – most of which were spent in senior technical and leadership positions.

Having completed a PhD from Imperial College and after spending a short period of time lecturing at London Guildhall University, Newman joined what is now known as BM TRADA and spent 12 years working on a wide range of timber-related research and consultancy projects. During that time he garnered an extensive knowledge of timber frame technology, leading him to his next role where he spent 17 years working within the timber frame and structural insulated panel businesses of the Kingspan group.

Speaking on his appointment, Newman said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Structural Timber Association at such a critical time in the industry, when there is a clear opportunity and appetite for significant growth in the use of timber-based methods in construction – most notably within housing, where timber frame has the existing capacity to deliver 100,000 homes per year.

“I hope that my experience and varied skill set will allow me to make a valuable contribution to our members, enabling early collaboration at the design stage, and through every stage of the supply chain.”