THE WPA’S 2026 ANNUAL DINNER, AWARDS EVENT AND HALF DAY CONFERENCE

Evening of 6 May and morning 7 May, Oulton Hall Hotel, Leeds

Social programme: WPA Golf competition and wine tasting event

A once-a-year opportunity to mix and talk with other members of the WPA; celebrate our 2026 Awards winners and hear about the latest developments in pre-treated wood and WPA initiatives.

Wednesday 6th May

Daytime
• 9-hole and 18-hole golf competition options on Oulton Hall’s two beautiful courses. Sponsored by Bond Timber
• Wine and cheese tasting hosted by Sophia Luckett of The Drink Talking. Sponsored by BSW Timber

Evening
Drinks reception, annual dinner and awards presentation

The evening includes:
• Welcome drinks reception
• A threecourse dinner
• Presentation of the 2026 Wood Protection Awards
• Entertainment from comedian and impressionist Aaron James

This evening is the social centrepiece of the WPA calendar – an evening where we can all relax, talk face-to-face with fellow members, celebrate the winners of our 2026 Awards, and enjoy our after-dinner entertainment.

Thursday 7th May

9am to 12.30pm — WPA Conference : Preserving Confidence in Wood

Your halfday Conference theme is Preserving Confidence in Wood and the programme has been purpose designed to reflect the key issues faced by WPA members and their customers:

Pre-treated wood – do the opportunities outweigh the threats?
Speaker: Ed Suttie, Building Research Establishment (BRE)

An exploration of opportunities (growth) and threats (decline) to the future of pre-treated wood and their likely significance. Why the WPA and its members must take the lead in building confidence in wood protection technology to grow demand and avoid the supply chain dysfunction that leads to declining margins and drives buyers to choose alternative materials.

In the materials war, third-party verification of quality helps you win
Speaker: Fredrik Nilsson, Operations Director, Södra Wood, Sweden

A Swedish wood treater’s view on how a voluntary move to third party verification of treatment quality, over 50 years ago, continues to sustain demand for pre-treated wood in Scandinavia.

Improving the clarity and credibility of the WPA Benchmark QAS
Speaker: Neil Ryan, WPA Director for Standards, Quality and Regulatory Compliance

Revealing the drivers for change behind the revised WPA Benchmark third-party QAS designed to bring greater credibility and operating efficiency to scheme members and clarity for buyers about the compliance of preservative pre-treated wood products with UK standards.

Routes to regulatory compliance to preserve demand for FR pre-treated wood
Speakers: Alex Torkington, WJ Group and Neil Ryan, WPA

How the wood supply chain can comply with Construction Products Regulations (CPR) and Office for Product Safety & Standards and preserve demand for wood and wood-based materials pre-treated with a factory applied flame retardant.

Making the most of wood for infrastructure and utility pole applications
Speaker: Willie Clason, Bridewell Associates

Many millions of pounds are invested in treated wood annually by infrastructure, utility and telecommunications businesses. This presentation looks at the heavy-duty preservative treatments used in delivering the extended service life expectations for these products and how the WPA and its members can help assure and sustain demand for wood and the range of treatments now available in this sector.

Q&A session and conference summary
Steve Young, WPA Chairman

Wood treatment plant and equipment supplier display

Our 2026 Conference will also be an opportunity for members to catch up with all the latest developments in wood treating plant and associated equipment and techniques courtesy of displays by Timber Treatment Solutions, Wood Treatments Technologies and Polesaver.

06-07 May | Oulton Hall Hotel, Nr Leeds