A composite member comprises first and second elongate composite elements. Each has a wedge shaped end with a complimentary tapered end surface. At least one of the components is formed of a stack of fibre layers impregnated in resin, with the tapered end surface being formed by each fibre layer extending longitudinally progressively further than the adjacent layer towards the thin end of the wedge at which the fibre layers have the greatest longitudinal extent. The components are joined at their tapered ends by an adhesive, and the properties of the cured composite material of the at least one component and/or the properties of the adhesive are different in the vicinity of the thin end of the wedge as compared to the rest of the tapered surface in order to reduce the stress concentrations in this region.