The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes is delighted to announce that Alun Watkins has been appointed as the new National Secretary for PEFC UK. Alun Watkins will take up his post in January 2010.

He will take over the reins at PEFC from William Walker who announced his intention to retire earlier this year. 

Watkins has been working in the timber and furniture industries for the past 25 years, the last 15 of which has seen him strengthen his involvement with environmental issues.

Before joining PEFC UK, Alun Watkins worked for The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) as Health, Safety & Environmental consultant where he provided services including offering advice and guidance to the furniture industry on all aspects of environmental compliance including chain of custody, as well as managing the industry specific initiative - Club Green. He was also instrumental in the development and promotion of the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) and chaired the Furniture Industry Environment Committee.

Commenting on the appointment, PEFC UK Chairman Peter Latham said, "William has done a splendid job as National Secretary for the past five years in getting the PEFC programme to its current position. When he took on this role in 2005, there were only 70 companies with PEFC chain of custody certification and the figure currently stands at over 1,300.  The Board recognises the immense contribution that he has made to the organisation and we now look forward to his successor building on the firm foundations that William has laid down. We are confident that Alun's previous experience in the timber and furniture industry and knowledge of certification will be invaluable in helping PEFC to strengthen its position in the UK market".