The Board of the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has announced details of a leadership transition aimed at “supporting ongoing growth, operational excellence, and increased member engagement over the next decade.”
Since 2020, the BMF has expanded significantly in size and scope. Under the leadership of Chairman Richard Hill and CEO John Newcomb, the organisation has achieved greater recognition and influence with government, strengthened support for members, and led key initiatives in people and skills, sustainability and digital transformation. During this period, membership has also grown by 44%, reaching 1,020 merchant, supplier, and service companies across the UK and Ireland.
The expansion has increased the leadership team’s responsibilities, prompting the BMF Board to consider the most suitable structure to sustain momentum as the industry adapts to business and legislative changes, and the construction market returns to growth.
“Richard Hill’s term as Chairman will end on 30 September 2026. In a natural progression, John Newcomb will move into his new position as BMF Executive Chairman from 1 October 2026.”
The leadership transition, planned to coincide with Richard Hill’s retirement, aims to ensure stability, continuity, and ongoing success, providing senior expertise and resources to advance the sector-focused trade association.
A key change is the creation of a new Executive Chair role to replace the existing non-executive position. This changed role combines governance responsibilities with an executive mandate to support broader industry engagement and growth.
Richard Hill’s term as Chairman will end on 30 September 2026. In a natural progression, John Newcomb will move into his new position as BMF Executive Chairman from 1 October 2026.
As Executive Chairman, John Newcomb will remain the external ambassador for the BMF, representing the building materials sector to government policymakers and other industry bodies, including the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the European Association of National Builders’ Merchants Associations and Manufacturers (UFEMAT), and the European Federation of the Sanitary and Heating Wholesale Trade (FEST). He will also establish and chair a new Strategic Development Board to expand and deepen the Federation’s activities.
Recruitment for a new Chief Executive Officer will commence in February, with the appointed individual expected to assume the role by 1 October.
All operational roles will report to the new CEO, who will oversee the continuous growth of the BMF by developing initiatives and services that support members’ businesses, provide financial stewardship, and promote member value and operational excellence.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Richard Hill said: “It has been a privilege to chair the BMF during a period when it has grown considerably as a trade organisation, both in terms of our membership and the breadth of services we provide, alongside our growing external recognition and influence.
“I am proud to have played my part in the journey to date alongside John. Together we have overseen the merger of the Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) into the BMF, the creation and launch of the BMCareers programme, the introduction of the ETIM standard for building, plumbing, and HVAC materials in the UK and Ireland, and, most recently, with NMBS, the creation of Data Yard, the industry-owned data pool for the entire building materials supply chain.”
John Newcomb commented: “I am honoured to be appointed Executive Chairman after my 14-year tenure as CEO. Like Richard, I am proud to have contributed to the BMF’s transformation and to have strengthened our position as the voice of the building materials sector.
“Throughout this period, I have had the pleasure of working alongside three exceptional chairs, Richard, who has been a fantastic mentor to me, and his predecessors, Peter Hindle MBE and Terry Parker, both of whom provided invaluable guidance and support.”
John added: “I am looking forward to embracing this new challenge, supporting our new CEO, and working together to foster progress and champion our members’ interests in the years ahead.”
