York Timbers
York Timbers IR Evolution | 2013–2015 (CD)
Overview
York Timbers is a South African forestry and timber-products group operating across plantations, processing facilities and distribution. Contracted via Purple Frog, I led creative direction across three consecutive reports (2013–2015)—evolving the publications from traditional annual reporting into a clearer, more stakeholder-led integrated reporting approach while protecting brand consistency year to year.
The challenge
• Dense, technical content spanning operations, governance, sustainability and financial performance
• Multiple stakeholder audiences (investors, regulators, employees, communities, customers)
• Need for stronger narrative clarity and easier navigation across long-form information
• Build a system that could scale across multiple years and remain consistent in tone
Strategic approach (what I did as a consultant/strategist)
• Information architecture: restructured content into a stakeholder-first story (what matters, why it matters, how value is created)
• Narrative hierarchy: clarified what must be read vs what can be scanned using typographic levels, summaries and section logic
• Visual translation: converted complex content into infographics, diagrams and simplified frameworks for faster comprehension
• Consistency system: established repeatable design rules (grid, typography, navigation, iconography, layout templates) to maintain continuity across 2013–2015
• Governance + ESG alignment: ensured content presentation supported King governance expectations and GRI-informed disclosure principles as part of the integrated reporting transition
Execution + leadership
As Creative Director, I guided the concept and design system, managed the production workflow with a typesetter and proofreader, and quality-checked layout consistency, readability and print-ready outputs. I worked closely with the client team to keep the publication accurate, accessible and aligned to stakeholder needs.
Deliverables
• Three integrated/annual reports (2013, 2014, 2015)
• Editorial system + templates for recurring sections
• Infographics and content frameworks (business model, strategy, stakeholder engagement, ESG narratives)
• Final print-ready files and digital-ready exports
Outcomes / value created
• A cohesive multi-year reporting platform with consistent brand tone and navigation
• Improved clarity and scan-ability of technical content for non-specialist readers
• Stronger “value creation” storytelling across business model, strategy, governance and sustainability
• A scalable reporting system that supports ongoing integrated reporting maturity
Links
2014
Year 2013
