At the heart of Falcon Timber is a team of dedicated experts whose knowledge, experience and commitment help drive the business forward. One of those people is Billy Spink, Head of Purchasing, whose career journey through the timber industry has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to support customers, build strong supply chains and help a business grow.
Having studied Environmental Science before joining the business, Billy entered the timber industry with an understanding of sustainability and environmental responsibility long before these topics became central industry discussions. Today, as timber continues to play a growing role in modern methods of construction and low-carbon building solutions, that early knowledge provides a valuable perspective as Falcon Timber continues to evolve and grow
Billy’s introduction to the timber industry was far from planned. Having grown up in Chingford, he was working behind the bar of a local pub in 2005 when a conversation with someone from Hoffman Thornwood (Now Hoffman Triesse) opened a door he had never considered.
“Some of the best ideas start in the pub,” Billy laughs. “I knew someone at Hoffman and was offered an opportunity. It was my first proper job and from day one I realised the industry had a lot more to offer than people might think.”
What began as an introduction to timber soon became a career. Billy spent eight years with Hoffman Thornwood, building industry knowledge, forming relationships and developing a reputation for hard work and determination. It was a business where no two days were the same and the camaraderie both inside and outside of work, including connections forged through rugby, helped cement his passion for the industry.
A change in circumstances eventually led Billy to a pivotal crossroads in his career. He was offered a role as a Sales Executive at MBM Softwood (a previously owned entity of CTH), a move that challenged him to step outside his comfort zone and build a customer base from scratch across the South of England.
“It was probably the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done,” he reflects. “You’re on your own, finding opportunities, building relationships and creating business. It teaches you resilience and gives you a real understanding of what customers need.”
During this period, Billy experienced the evolution of the business first-hand. The combination of panel and timber operations helped create the blueprint for what would eventually become today’s Falcon Timber proposition, while the wider industry itself was undergoing significant change.
“The sector has become more data-driven and more corporate over time,” he explains. “We’ve seen larger buying groups emerge, bigger departments and more evidence-based decision-making. The character of some businesses has changed but the fundamentals of relationships and service remain as important as ever.”
Few people would have predicted that Billy’s next move would take him from sales into procurement.
“Sales was always my bag,” he admits. “If you’d asked me years ago, I probably thought procurement was there to resist sales but as the business evolved, I realised that success depends on every department working together. We’re one large domino chain and when one piece performs well, everybody benefits.”
Today, that understanding sits at the heart of Falcon Timber’s approach. Billy’s experience on both sides of the business has helped strengthen collaboration between sales and purchasing, ensuring that customer demand, market intelligence and sourcing decisions are more closely aligned than ever before.
As Head of Purchasing, Billy’s role is both strategic and fast-moving. Every day involves working closely with suppliers across the globe, monitoring market conditions and making decisions that help ensure Falcon Timber continues to offer the right products at the right time.
“The challenges are constant,” says Billy. “Fuel costs, global conflicts, supply chain disruption and changing market conditions can all affect the timber market. Decisions that once took weeks now need to be made in days. If you don’t buy well, you can’t sell well, so there’s a real responsibility to stay informed and react quickly.”
Despite these challenges, Billy remains focused on building resilient supplier partnerships based on trust, transparency and communication.
“A strong supplier relationship works both ways. It’s about trust, honest conversations and sharing information throughout the supply chain. The more connected sales, purchasing and suppliers are, the better outcomes we can create for customers.”
That customer-first mindset remains central to every purchasing decision. Having spent years working directly with customers, Billy understands how sourcing decisions ultimately affect merchants, manufacturers and tradespeople across the UK.
“The lessons from sales never leave you. Customers want reliability, consistency and value. My experience helps me look at decisions through their eyes and make sure we’re buying products that genuinely support their businesses.”
While Billy’s own career has evolved, it is the future that excites him most.
“Falcon Timber has a fantastic opportunity ahead of it,” he says. “We’ve got an emerging generation of talented leaders, intelligent people throughout the business and a real willingness to embrace change. Timber has an incredibly important role to play in the future of construction, whether that’s timber frame, sustainable building solutions or innovative products like composite materials. I genuinely believe we’ll be at the forefront of those opportunities.”
His confidence in the future is matched by his appreciation for the culture that continues to define the business. Having returned to Falcon Timber under new leadership, Billy believes the company’s greatest strength remains its people.
“The team, the camaraderie and the trust we have in each other made the decision easy. We’ve created stronger links between purchasing and sales, and there’s a real understanding of the value each department brings. That’s helping us become a stronger business.”
Looking back, Billy is most proud not of sales figures or purchasing achievements but of the people he has helped develop throughout his career.
A lot of people who’ve worked alongside Billy have gone on to build successful careers of their own. Billy is quick to point out that his own success has never been achieved alone. He considers himself fortunate to have a strong, trusted team around him, whose support, knowledge and commitment play a vital role in helping the business succeed. “Seeing people grow, gain confidence and progress professionally is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
That commitment to developing others reflects the culture CTH continues to build; one that combines decades of industry experience with a progressive mindset and a focus on future growth.
When asked what advice he would give to someone starting their career in timber, Billy’s answer is simple:
“Listen to people with experience. The industry changes but wisdom and knowledge never go out of date. If you’re willing to learn, build relationships and work hard, there are some fantastic opportunities ahead.”
As Falcon Timber continues to strengthen its position as an international timber importer and national supplier, experienced leaders like Billy remain instrumental to the company’s success. By combining deep industry knowledge with a collaborative approach and a clear focus on customers, he is helping ensure the business is well positioned for the future and ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
