The BMF Annual Conference and Awards, commonly known as BMF Members’ Day, takes place soon at the Leonardo Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire from 18-19 September.
Taking the theme ‘Building a Material Difference,’ this year’s BMF Conference and Awards will once again aim to deliver a vibrant platform of engaging and informative business sessions, a supplier exhibition and a networking-heavy social programme, culminating with a black-tie dinner focused on rewarding some of the sector’s brightest and best talents.
Most significantly, the event will mark the formal launch of the BMF’s ‘Sector Awareness’ campaign, which will introduce a tangible programme designed to raise the profile of the building materials sector whilst also providing a platform for recruiting the best talent into the industry.
Hosted by TV and radio presenter Colin Murray, the event will present a parade of expert speakers who will address some of the key topics and vital issues facing the building materials sector and the wider ‘state of the nation’ in the UK today. For example, the CBI’s Lead Economist Alpesh Paleja will discuss the country’s current economic headwinds, whilst Justin Webb, one of the hosts of Radio 4’s Today programme will share his insights on the UK political landscape. As a former BBC North America Editor, he will also cast his eye on the forthcoming Presidential Election in the US.
Closer to home, the industry will also be well represented from the stage with speakers including Chris Carr, National President of the Federation of Master Builders. Chris is MD of a fourth-generation family housing developing company, Carr and Carr (Builders) Ltd, which builds small developments and executive homes around the towns of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and the surrounding Lincolnshire Wolds.
In addition to his role at the FMB, he is a member of the Construction Leadership Advisory Group, Chair of the CLC’s SME Housebuilders Group and represents smaller housing development companies on several Future Homes Hub sub-groups.
Also addressing delegates will be Martin Stables, CEO of the Independent Builders Merchant Group. Martin has been with IBMG since 2021 following over 20 years in the industry with Saint-Gobain’s Merchanting brands, and now heads up a talented management team at a merchant group which has seen rapid growth from a combination of M&A, new branch openings and organic performance since 2018.
The session will end with a Q&A, and BMF CEO John Newcomb commented: “SME builders are an important customer group for our members. I am really looking forward to hearing Chris’s perspective on the sector (while) the rise of regional merchant groups has been a major aspect of the building materials landscape in recent years. IBMG has been at the forefront of this trend, and I am looking forward to hearing Martin’s views on what the future holds.”
The event concludes with a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, with accolades including the BMF Training Company of the Year (sponsored by PBM) for the merchant business deemed to have shown “the most commitment to supporting and developing their teams through their use of BMF training.” The six shortlisted firms the 2024 title are Haldane Fisher, Harlow Timber Group, Howarth Timber and Builders Merchants, IBMG, LBS Builders Merchants and MGM Timber.
Nominated for the BMF Supplier & Distributor Member Engagement Award, meanwhile, are ForgeFix, Knauf Insulation, Ox, SIG, Talasey and Unilin Insulation UK whilst EazyStock, ECI Software Solutions, Epicor, Intact Software, Kerridge Commercial Systems and Stirling Warrington are in the frame for the BMF Service Member Engagement Award 2024.
John concluded: “Our annual Members’ Conference continues to grow in its scope, scale and attendance. Every year we look to develop on the success of the last and we are looking forward to welcoming even more Members in 2024.”
For more information about the BMF Annual Conference and Awards, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbg003
