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Peter Beele
Technical Development Manager - FIRA International Ltd
Pete has worked for FIRA from the day that it became one of the BMTRADA Group of companies in 1996.
A Wood Science degree, and subsequent PhD investigating glue / wood interactions in chipboard, led to a technical role at TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association). Initially his focus was on timber drying but Peter quickly moved into the investigation of timber in construction. A managerial career followed including specialising in the testing and certification of timber products.
His management and technical skills have been put to good use at FIRA where he has worked in many aspects of the business including running the testing, research and consultancy divisions.
Latterly, Pete has been responsible for the development of new business opportunities (e.g. lean manufacturing support programmes and carbon footprinting), researching and writing furniture industry competitiveness analyses and supporting the industry in its political lobbying activities as secretary of the British Furniture Confederation.
Pete's wide ranging hobbies are sport centric. He is still a keen, though incompetent, wicket keeper batsman and he runs (waddles) to keep fit. He has been actively involved in the support of junior rugby, both as a referee and coach, although his activities, apart from a very occasional outing onto the pitch for a university old boys game, are nowadays confined to Guinness fuelled support from the touchline of Chinnor RFC.
