Jim Houghton is the Forest & Wood Product’s Australia’s (FWPA’s) new statistics and economics manager. Source: Timberbiz
FWPA Managing Director, Ric Sinclair appointed Houghton, highlighting his strong sector knowledge and enthusiasm to see industry benefit from an improved statistics collection program.
Following industry consultation, FWPA is establishing a new program to provide improved coordination and build better systems for industry data collection and analysis.
The program will be internally funded and Houghton will develop and deliver the program on industry’s behalf.
Houghton’s background is in economics and statistical analysis and he has 15 years’ experience as a senior manager in the industry. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, and has worked in roles within the forest and wood products industry including as CEO of Alpine MDF and as a director of Vicforests.
“We look forward to Jim joining FWPA in March and taking a lead role in the development of stronger industry sector statistics” said Sinclair.
FWPA will continue to work cooperatively with ABARES and other statistical providers to ensure that forest and wood product statistics are a valuable tool for industry and government decision makers.
A new industry reference group will provide a mechanism for coordination and validation of all existing data series and the development of improved systems.
A key initiative of the new program will be the development of a secure, online portal for the consolidation of all key statistical data series.
