Two high profile speakers with very different backgrounds will lead a timely session on Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace at the Builders Merchants Federation’s Annual Members Conference in September.
Kate Tinsley, CEO of MKM Building Supplies, and Paul Elliott CBE MBE, the former England footballer and current UEFA International Diversity Ambassador will discuss how “employing colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures make companies better places to work and also contribute to better business performance”.
Kate has extensive experience in both merchanting and manufacturing, notably with BSS, Grafton Group, Buildbase and Ibstock. Since joining MKM in 2020, she has helped spearhead the growth of the business nationwide, which now has almost 100 branches to date with more planned to open this year. MKM’s unique business model empowers its branch directors to run their branches as their own business – a model which it says enables it to “attract the best and brightest of the sector’s talent pool”. As part of her remit as CEO, Kate acts as a vital link between MKM’s central support teams and the wider branch network.
Outside of work Kate is passionate about football. As a lifelong Notts County fan, who has coached at grass roots level and is now a Non-Exec director on the board of the Football Association, it is fitting that she will share the platform with an award-winning player who has long been a leading campaigner tackling racism in football and throughout the educational and community sectors.
Paul’s playing career took him from Charlton and Aston Villa to Pisa in Italy, returning to Celtic and finally to Chelsea. It was also notable for the number of firsts and the number of accolades he achieved – the first black player at Celtic, the first black Captain at Chelsea and the first black English defender in Italy. He was also voted Player of the Year at Celtic and at Chelsea and the Most Valuable Defender at Pisa.
Paul’s exceptional passion and energy fuels his drive to build a better future for young people and make positive changes. He was appointed MBE in 2003 for his work with young players and his involvement with anti-racism in football and in 2012 received the CBE for his services to equality and diversity in football.
The BMF Members’ Conference, with Marshalls Stonemarket as headline sponsor for the third consecutive year, and black-tie Awards Dinner takes place on 15 September at St. George’s Park, Burton on Trent – the home of England’s national football teams.The BMF’s annual Golf Tournament and other social activities will be held on the previous day, 14 September at the exclusive JCB Golf and Country Club.
To find out more and book your place, please visit the events section at www.bmf.org.uk
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