Close to 1,200 independent builders’ merchants and suppliers came together to celebrate a milestone year for NMBS at its annual dinner dance on 28 October 2023 in the Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
CEO Chris Hayward took to the stage to welcome guests and thank them for their continued support during NMBS’s 60 years. The evening was hosted by much-loved actor and comedian, Brian Conley and attendees danced the evening away to Boyzlife and the house band Fully Funktional.
Aaron Frogley of Pavestone was presented with the Tatton Award, which was named after NMBS’s first CEO John Tatton. The award recognises an individual who has excelled in the workplace and wider community. Aaron was recognised for helping to raise over £600,000 for charity in what started with the Vado Rally and what is now the Pavestone Rally and which raised over £200,000 in this year alone.
During the evening, guests also raised £11,000 for CRASH, a charity that brings the construction industry together to help homelessness and hospice organisations by supporting them with building projects and in creating caring environments.
Chris Hayward said: “Our Dinner Dance has one simple objective – to thank our members and suppliers for their tremendous support and to give them the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company, with fine wine, great food and fantastic entertainment and this year didn’t disappoint.
“When deciding how to mark our 60th year, we launched our 60th Commemorative Apprenticeship scheme, where NMBS made a pledge to work with the BMF and LEAP, to introduce an Apprentice scheme to our members that will ensure at least 60 new apprentices will be taken on as employees in 2023. I am pleased to report that we have achieved that goal and are now striving to get 100 by the end of this year.”
Chris continued: “I would also like to thank all the team at NMBS who have contributed to our success in the last 60 years and to all our dinner dance sponsors.”
Find out about future NMBS events on the website: www.nmbs.co.uk/events
Sponsors on the night included:
Main Cabaret – Metabo/HiKOKI Powertools UK
Reception – Makita / Marshalls
Wine – YBS Insutation / Portwest / Etex
Opening Cabaret – Polypipe Building Products
Ladies Gift – British Gypsum
Reception Package – Marshalls
Chocolates – First Event
Photobooth – Owetts
Gents Gift – Toolbank
Water – Worcester Bosch
Lottery Tickets – SIG
Prize Balloons – Keystone Lintels
Scratchcards – Artex
Band – Forterra
Toastmaster & Champagne – H+H
Chocolate Sleeves – Hanson Cement
Supporting Cabaret – Aliaxis
Closing Cabaret – CT1
