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INDUSTRY VOICE


BMF prioritises member support with appeal to Government over COVID-19


On 17 March the BMF advised the Government on the likely impact of coronavirus on the building materials supply chain and warned of the devastating impact if the pandemic shuts down the construction sector.


The BMF will continue to express the concerns of the sector over the coming weeks as the situation develops and has requested urgent meetings with the Business Minister, Nadhim Zahawi and with key contacts at BEIS to discuss specific industry-related issues.


Reflecting the concerns of the industry directly into Government is one of four priority areas for the BMF as it helps members to continue to


trade through the unprecedented health crisis. They are also issuing regular bulletins with the most up-to-date advice both from the Government and the CBI.


In line with Government requests to avoid non-essential travel and contact with others, the BMF has cancelled all regional meetings, events and forums up to late April (see www.bmf.org.uk/events for the latest updates when this edition goes to print). The Federation is also ramping up online training to replace classroom style courses, with a series of webinars for popular BMF training programmes, such as How a House is Built. This is in addition to its existing comprehensive range of


Louise Polston to chair BMF


London & South East Region Louise Polston, commercial director of Alsford Timber, is to chair the BMF's London & South East Region. Louise, who will be formally elected to the role at the Region’s next meeting in June, is the first woman to hold this position.


With a background in sales, Louise moved into construction products in 2009. Her career swiftly progressed through sales management and export operations roles to commercial


director, and in November 2015 she joined Alsford Timber. Commenting on her appointment, Louise Polston said: “I am delighted to accept the position of BMF Chair for the London & South-East region. There is a wealth of opportunities, training schemes and support functions available via the BMF which I am keen to promote to ensure both the BMF and its membership gain as much as possible from each other. I look forward to networking with key contacts in the region, supporting local members, and ensuring our meetings cover relevant topics that provide clear take-outs for the individual businesses to benefit from.” BMF CEO, John Newcomb, congratulated Louise on her new role, saying: “I can think of no-one better than Louise to take on this role. The fact that she is our first female Regional Chair highlights one of the many diversity issues facing our sector. I know she is a keen supporter of the BMF and our industry, and the fresh perspective she brings to the role can only serve us well.”


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online training services such as BMF Campus and BMF Building Blocks. Through the BMF Plus Services members can access expert Employment, Insurance and Health & Safety advice. They also have access to digital online advice, an area of business that is set to double over the next 12 months as purchasing habits are forced to change.


BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “It is exactly at times of business uncertainty that any industry needs a strong, reliable and effective Trade Association to represent its interests. The BMF will do all we can to help and support members through this very difficult period.”


Nick Knowles to give keynote address at BMF Young Merchants Conference 2020


TV personality Nick Knowles will be the Keynote Speaker at the BMF’s Young Merchants Conference, which takes place on 7 October, during UK Construction Week at the NEC, Birmingham.


As the presenter of the UK’s best-loved property transformation programme, Nick has become the face of construction on TV. His rapport with the builders on site and his empathy with the buildings’ future occupants has made the show compulsive viewing. The programme not only transforms lives, it celebrates the spirit and professionalism of the building community –


In common with many office- based businesses, the BMF instituted home working for the majority of its staff since 18 March. All staff are fully operational, providing a full service to members. John Newcomb concluded: “Regardless of COVID-19, we remain totally committed to our core objective of helping members to build excellence in materials supply. They have my personal assurance that the weight of the BMF, and the recognition and respect we command as the only trade body for the whole building materials supply chain, is fully dedicated to helping members to manage through this crisis.”


including the many local trades that volunteer their skills and time, and the merchants and builder materials suppliers who regularly offer support. John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “Nick was an extremely popular speaker at the BMF All Industry Conference last year, and we are delighted that he is continuing his association with the BMF at our second Young Merchants Conference, which we are confident will now become a bi-annual event.” The BMF Young Merchants Group, which is hosting the conference, is open to those aged between 21 and 40 working in the building material supply industry. Appropriately, the BMF Young Merchants Conference takes the theme “Building the Next Generation” and is designed to encourage, inspire and enthuse.


For full details and


registration information, please email James Spillane, james.spillane@ bmf.org.uk.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2020


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