Timber and surface distributor James Latham Ltd has announced that its former chairman, Peter Latham OBE, has passed away after a short illness.
Peter officially joined the company in 1973, marking the seventh generation of the Latham family to work for the business. In 2006, Peter was appointed as the company’s chairman, a role he held until 2017, when he was succeeded by current chairman, Nick Latham.
During his tenure, the company says that Peter led a period of modernisation at James Latham, rolling out sustainability-focused initiatives and an expansion into new products and specialist materials.
Peter Latham was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 for his services to the UK wood industry, with the company saying he “became one of the most influential figures in the UK timber trade”.
Announcing Peter’s passing on LinkedIn, James Latham Ltd added: “Peter was widely liked and highly respected across the industry, and we know the news of his passing will be felt deeply by many.”
Outside of the company, Latham also held senior positions in several forestry organisations, such as being Chairman of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Director of the Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT), and Trustee of the Commonwealth Forestry Association.
Latham was also appointed as the non-executive forestry commissioner in 2019, in a role where he provided strategic oversight of forest policy and land management.
Paying tribute to Peter’s legacy, the PEFC said: “Peter dedicated much of his life to advancing sustainable forestry and the responsible use of forest products. A highly respected leader across the international forest sector, he served on the PEFC International Board of Directors for ten years, including five years as Chair from 2016 to 2021.
“During his tenure, Peter helped guide PEFC through a period of significant growth and development. Under his leadership, the PEFC alliance expanded from 43 to 55 national members, strengthening its presence across Asia, Africa and Europe while continuing to promote sustainable forest management around the world.
“Peter was internationally respected for his wisdom, diplomacy and ability to bring people together. He believed strongly in dialogue and consensus, and his calm, thoughtful leadership helped shape PEFC at a time when forests and sustainable forest management were gaining increasing recognition for their role in addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity and supporting livelihoods.”