INDUSTRY VOICE


BMF Conference in Dubrovnik hailed phenomenal success


A fantastic sum of £25,000 was raised for charity during the Gala Dinner of the BMF All Industry Conference in Dubrovnik. The money will be divided equally between Variety, the Children’s Charity, and Mental Health UK whose work was featured during the Conference sessions. Conference delegates showed their generosity in many ways throughout the evening. The highlight was a special live auction overseen by Conference Host, Gethin Jones.


The amount raised at this year’s Conference brings the total amount raised for charity at BMF events during the last two years to just under a staggering £220,000. Singer Heather Small, herself an


BMF DIARY DATES


SEPTEMBER 5 BMF South West regional meeting, RGB Tiverton


5-8 Pavestone Rally, Reims to Lake Como


11 BMF Civils & Drainage Forum, Geberit, Warwick


13 SOLD OUT London/South East regional meeting, Tottenham Hotspur FC, London


18-19 BMF Members’ Day Annual Conference and Awards, St George’s Park, Tatenhill


OCTOBER 1-2


National Apprenticeship Show – West - Cheltenham


2 BMF Marketing Forum, BMF, Coventry


3 BMF South Plumbing & 44


Heating Forum, Geberit, Warwick


4 BMF North Plumbing & Heating Forum, Sheffield FC


8-10


UK Construction Week, NEC, Birmingham


9 BMF Diversity in Merchanting Round Table, NEC, Birmingham


15 BMF North East regional meeting, Sage, Newcastle Upon Tyne


15-16 National Apprenticeship Show North West - Bolton


17 BMF Finance Forum, BMF, Coventry


17-19 UFEMAT Congress, Montreux, Switzerland BMF Anglia regional


18


meeting, Ridgeons, Pampisford


22 BMF Health & Safety Forum, BMF, Coventry


22 BMF Scotland Regional Meeting, Superglass, Stirling


29


BMF Parliamentary Reception 2019, House of Commons, London


31 BMF Branch Managers Forum, BMF, Coventry


NOVEMBER 5 BMF North East regional meeting, Seymour CE, Hartlepool


5


BMF West Midlands Regional Meeting, HMP Onley, Rugby


6 BMF East Midlands www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2019


Regional Meeting, Xtratherm UK, Chesterfield


7 BMF South Wales regional meeting, Rockwool, Bridgend


12 BMF Kitchen & Bathroom Forum, Roca, Leicester


21 BMF Timber Forum, BMF, Coventry


DECEMBER 4


BMF Yorkshire regional meeting, Middlethorpe Hall, York


2020 JANUARY 24 BMF Burns Supper, Double Tree Hilton, Dunblane


Ambassador for Variety, gave a stellar performance to complete a memorable gala evening held at Dubrovnik’s Revlin nightclub. Frances Lang, Chief Executive at Variety UK said: “Thanks to all delegates for supporting Variety. BMF members can be assured that their generosity really does change children’s lives.” Brian Dow, CEO at Mental Health UK said: “We really appreciate the fundraising by delegates and the opportunity the BMF Conference gave us to raise the subject of mental health within the industry. I’ve been in conferences in many parts of the world and on many subjects, but this was probably the best I’ve ever been to. Incredibly well organised. Wonderful atmosphere. Great content. And generally, a terrific collection of people. So, thank you very much for everything.” The Gala Dinner was the climax of


a hugely successful BMF All Industry Conference, where almost 450 delegates were inspired, educated, entertained and enjoyed many of networking opportunities. To view photos from the Conference visit www.bmf.org.uk/ events.


BMF meets MPs again to discuss apprentices


Unused Apprenticeship Levy payments were on the agenda at last month’s meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships. Brett Amphlett represented the BMF in the House of Commons for the launch of the APPG’s Annual Report on progress towards more apprentices. It occurred the day the


Department for Education revealed that millions paid as Levy since May 2017 have not been used within the 2-year time limit. May 2019 was the first month in which unused contributions were taken


by the HMRC for re-distribution. The APPG Joint Chairs are Labour’s Catherine McKinnell MP (Newcastle West) and the Conservatives’ Gillian Keegan MP (Chichester). The DfE said £11 million not spent by May 2019 was taken - and £26 million not spent by June 2019 also taken. APPGs are a good way for us to reach parliamentarians. In addition to the Chairs, Brett met MPs from Blackpool, Southend and Northern Ireland - and Lords from Glasgow and South Wales - to lobby on behalf of BMF members.


BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards update


Squadron Leader John Peters has been confirmed as the Keynote Speaker at the BMF Members’ Annual Conference on 19 September, sponsored by Construction Week.


Squadron Leader John Peters came to international attention in 1991 when his bruised and battered face flashed onto television screens around the world. He was captured and


tortured after his RAF Tornado was shot down over Iraq during the first Gulf War and his disfigured image became a potent symbol of Saddam Hussein’s aggression. While his Gulf War experience tested him to the absolute limit, far from being doom and gloom, his speeches exude warmth, humour and tenacity, moving audiences from laughter to tears to inspired reflection.


The BMF


welcomes the following new members:


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52