INDUSTRY VOICE


BMF’s Istanbul Conference brings £26k charity bonus


An amazing £26,235 was raised for charity during the Gala Dinner that concluded the BMF All Industry Conference in Istanbul last weekend. The money will be split between the BMF’s charity partners, the British Heart Foundation and the Turkey/Syria Earthquake appeal.


John Newcomb BMF CEO said: “I am unbelievably proud of the generosity of our conference delegates. Huge thanks to everyone who helped us achieve this fantastic sum for charity. “John Newcomb added: “The entire conference was one of the best – if not the best – I have ever been involved with. My thanks to all our brilliant speakers, and to our superb host Mark Durden-Smith, who orchestrated proceedings in his own inimitable way.


”The Gala Dinner at the Ciragan Palace, an imperial Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus dating from the 19th Century, was the climax of a Conference that earned plaudits from merchant, supplier and


service delegates, both for the content and the organisation as well as the location and the entertainment.


Reflecting on the event, Ian Haldane, Chairman of the Haldane Group, said: “Congratulations to the BMF team on a brilliant conference – fantastic location, 5-star hotel, interesting and motivational speakers and evening entertainment to equal anywhere in the world.”


David Berry, Managing Director at C&W Berry and Chairman of the Fortis Buying Group, added his congratulations saying: “I congratulate all at the BMF for a very successful industry conference that was superbly organised and very well executed. I am aware of the detailed work required to deliver such an event and appreciate the immense effort made. Great customer service has that extra little bit of personal commitment and care thrown in, which is exactly what I experienced.”


Glenn Paddison, Commercial Director, H&B Buying Group


and past Chair of BMF Young Merchant Group said: “Congratulations on hosting an incredible conference in Istanbul. To stay in such a fantastic hotel, dine in a palace and be entertained by some wonderful speakers I feel really blessed. This event sets our industry apart and true to the theme I’ve returned home having created some fantastic new connections.” Steve Duke, Commercial Director at Knauf Insulation also praised the event organisers: “Thank you so much for an absolutely phenomenal conference. I know how much effort goes on behind the scenes to organise these events so that everything runs smoothly and it really is greatly appreciated.” Lewis Walsh of Cederal-Etex (Exteriors) UK Ltd said: “The venue, forums and entertainment were absolutely fantastic and we found the trip very beneficial from both a business and personal point of view. Thank you for all your hard work in organising a very memorable conference.”


Rebecca Hughes, Marketing Director, Talasey, attending her first BMF All Industry Conference said: “Thank you for a truly first- class event in a stunning location. I loved making connections and memories with wonderful industry colleagues and customers, while representing Talasey Group.” James Mitchell, Managing Director of Kerridge Commercial Systems and BMF Board Advisor said: “Thank you for all your support and brilliant organisation to make the event such a memorable experience for us all. We had a great time and we love being part of the BMF family.” Conference host, Mark Durden- Smith, said: “The BMF’s Mission Istanbul 2023 was an absolute epic, a genuinely magnificent gathering with great speakers both from within and from outside the industry. I loved hanging out with the great and the good of the builders merchant community, who made me feel so welcome. Thanks for having me along.”


BMF’s fundraising drive tops over half a million pounds


A national trade body based in Coventry has raised more than half a million pounds in just five years for charities that support people both in the UK and abroad.


The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), which represents 880 builders’ merchants and suppliers across the UK, has championed a series of events and initiatives to raise £520,776 since 2018. The BMF has joined forces


38


with the British Heart Foundation for 2023,


building on work with previous ‘charity of the year’ partners including Band of Builders,


Teenage Cancer Trust, Variety-the


Children’s charity, Mental Health UK and the Samaritans. Its charity partnerships have


also paved the way for further appeals, including a funding drive in aid of victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which raised £18,880.


And last year, the BMF’s CEO,


John Newcomb - the current president of UFEMAT, the international trade body for the


building materials in Europe - launched a cross-continent approach to providing support in Ukraine, including working with an industry representative in Kyiv to establish what could be done to help.


As a result of this, £55,000 was raised in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee’s work in Ukraine and 3.5 tonnes of warm clothing and other aid were sent to the region.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2023


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