Clear, practical timber knowledge for real projects

Gain clear, practical understanding of how timber behaves, how it should be specified, and how to make confident decisions on real projects. This focused, in-person, one-day course introduces the core principles of species selection, strength classes, durability, moisture behaviour and service classes—giving attendees the knowledge needed to avoid common pitfalls and improve build quality.

Designed for designers, contractors, surveyors, foresters and anyone working with timber in construction, Timber 101 blends technical insight with accessible, real world guidance.

We equip you with the expert knowledge to specify timber and timber products with confidence — so you deliver outstanding performance, protect your reputation, and give your clients and customers a result they'll trust for years to come.

Delivered by specialists from Filros Timber (https://www.filros.co.uk/) with expert knowledge on timber properties, specification and performance in a wide range of applications, the session provides a solid foundation for responsible, informed timber use across modern building projects.

This course is ideal for those who specify, select, sell/supply, inspect or work with timber in construction, including:

Architects, designers and engineers responsible for specifying timber products and ensuring compliance

Contractors, site managers and installers working with timber on live projects and aiming to reduce on-site errors

Surveyors, building control professionals and inspectors assessing timber condition, suitability and correct application

Clients, project managers and sustainability leads seeking to make more informed timber decisions

Those supplying/selling timber/timber products to support those purchasing materials for projects

Foresters seeking to understand importance of timber properties in end use

Walk away with the skills to specify timber right, first time.

Location 3

Pauline Green Room, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester M60 0AS

Date: 26 November 2026: 0930-1600

Cost: Non-members £200 + VAT per person before 06 November (£300 + VAT per person full price)

Members £100 + VAT per person

Any questions, please contact Liz Walder at Woodknowledge Wales: liz.walder@woodknowledgewales.co.uk

Speakers: Phil O'Leary and Dr Andy Pitman, Filros Timber

Phil is Director of Filros Timber Consultancy which provides specialist independent consultancy across the timber sector. Previously he was head of Timber Consultancy at BM TRADA, the technical authority behind TRADA. With over 30 years of post-qualifying experience working with timber across design, specification, structural grading and in-service performance, Phil has published in local and international journals about wood science.

Phil's background combines formal wood science expertise, decades of applied industry experience, leadership in standards and organisations and specialises in:

condition surveys of historic buildings, performance assessments and determining the structural strength of timber in many situations

timber quality, performance characteristics, deterioration and preservation

serving as an expert witness in establishing the causes of timber failures

developing and presenting highly regarded topical and bespoke training courses on a range of timber subjects.

Phil is chairman of BSI’s Wood Preservation Committee and a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Committee. He is also Chair of the Woodknowledge Wales Board.

Wood scientist Andy Pitman specialises in understanding the performance of wood in service. He holds a Masters in Forest Industries Technology and completed his PhD with the Mary Rose Trust investigating the conservation archaeological timbers.

A Fellow of the IOM3 and past Chairman of the Wood Technology Society, Andy worked with BM TRADA in research, development and testing of timber products including modified woods and is author of TRADA’s Wood Information Sheet on Modified Wood. He is a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical Committee and was a member of the British Standards Committee dealing with British and European standards relating to wood protection.

Andy has worked across the supply chain, delivering CPD training to architects and engineers on behalf of the RIBA, Wood for Good and TRADA. Prior to working with Filros Timber Consultancy, he worked in R&D for a start-up LIGNIA for four years developing a resin impregnated modified timber which has provided experience in working with resin and adhesive providers and laminators in the UK and Europe, working with investors and commissioning testing services from Europe and North America.

Andy is trained to visually strength grade softwoods and hardwoods and CQI IRCA ISO 9001:2015, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and PEFC Lead Auditor. He also routinely undertakes visual inspections of the quality of timber products for UK timber merchants.

Description supplied by the event organiser.