Rupert Oliver is Director of Forest Industries Intelligence Limited. He was formerly Editor of Hardwood Markets and has 20 years experience working in the international timber trade and industry. He has written regularly on hardwood markets and forest management issues for a wide range of European trade and industry journals. He maintains close contacts with editorial staff of these journals and with representatives of the trade, industry, government, and NGOs throughout the EU. He has travelled widely to study forestry practices and market development in North America, Europe, the Far East, and Africa. He is regularly consulted by international and national agencies on timber market developments and associated environmental issues and is a regular speaker at international conventions.