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Full speaker list announced for the IoBM Conference


The Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) has announced the full speaker line-up for its 2026 Conference, taking place on 15 October 2026 at JCB. Under the theme Thrive: How to advance your career in merchanting, the event marks a significant step in the growth of the institute and its commitment to supporting and uplifting professionals across the building materials sector on a personal level. The programme will focus on the practical ways that individuals can develop their skills, gain recognition and take ownership of their career progression.


The conference will open with a host welcome from Darren Brookes MIBM of JCB, followed by an IoBM welcome from John Newcomb


who will each share real career journeys and practical insight into development and progression within the sector.


FIBM. Jason Mohammed will deliver the keynote session, Thriving in a Changing Industry: Skills, Mindset and Momentum for the Future, before continuing as host throughout the day.


A key session, Three Paths to Progress: How to Advance Your Career in Building Materials, will feature Kate Tinsley FIBM of MKM, Steve Durdant-Hollamby FIBM of Lords and Holly Broadhurst of JCB,


Daphne Doody-Green of the Bathroom Association will also speak on professional bodies, trade associations and their role in supporting career progression, while a panel featuring Rachel Fryers FIBM, Costas Marcou AIBM, Jeremy Daniel FIBM and George Woollard MIBM will explore the future skills needed to succeed in merchanting.


The afternoon programme will include a mentoring session with Rebecca Hughes MIBM of Agency53 and Emma Champion AIBM of IBMG, looking at how guidance can be turned into growth. Marianna Peet MIBM, L&D


BMF Campus evolves to provide a smarter, more tailored learning platform for merchants and suppliers


The BMF continues to evolve its digital learning offer for merchants and suppliers, with a series of significant enhancements to the BMF Campus platform.


Supporting Merchants with faster competence For merchant organisations, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring that new starters become effective as quickly as possible. Through improved navigation and enhanced dashboards, employees are granted access to relevant learning more easily, while giving managers real-time visibility of progress and performance across branches.


Compliance, often a time- consuming and admin-heavy process, has also been simplified. Automated certification management ensures that mandatory training is delivered, tracked and renewed efficiently, helping reduce risk while freeing up internal resource.


Beyond formal training, merchants are increasingly looking to bring all learning and communication into one place. The platform now supports the hosting of internal content such as policies, handbooks and role-specific materials alongside industry training, creating a single, trusted environment for workforce development.


There is also a growing emphasis on knowledge sharing. By enabling teams to contribute content such as blogs, videos and practical insights, BMF Campus helps organisations capture real-world expertise and make it accessible across the business.


Enabling scalable supplier-led learning


For suppliers, ensuring that accurate product knowledge reaches merchant teams has long been a challenge. Traditional methods such as printed brochures or in-branch training sessions can be difficult to


August 2026 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


scale and quickly become outdated. BMF Campus introduces a more sustainable model through supplier- led learning.


Suppliers can now create and host their own content within branded areas of the platform, making it accessible across the wider LMS network. This approach gives suppliers greater control over how their products are presented, understood and sold, while ensuring merchants have access to consistent, up-to-date information.


Build AI: AI powered course creation


A key development underpinning this evolution is the introduction of AI-powered course creation within the platform.


This Build AI functionality enables users to convert documents, presentations or even simple prompts into structured digital learning in a matter of minutes. Content can then be enhanced with imagery, assessments and additional


and apprenticeship manager of the BMF will then lead a practical session on the next steps delegates can take to thrive in merchanting. Alongside speaker sessions, the agenda includes interactive discussion opportunities, a celebration of IoBM member success, and time for delegates to reflect on how they can invest in their own development through training, mentoring, professional recognition, resources and industry events. Delegates will leave with a practical action plan to guide their personal growth, and a clearer understanding of the routes available to progress their careers, the confidence to act, and a stronger connection to a network of career-driven professionals across the building materials sector.


context before being deployed across the network.


For merchants, this opens up new possibilities for rapidly rolling out internal training, updating compliance materials or standardising knowledge across multiple branches.


A connected approach to learning


The evolution of BMF Campus reflects a broader shift within the industry towards more collaborative, technology-enabled approaches to skills development. By bringing merchants and suppliers together within a shared space, the platform helps align product knowledge, operational training and compliance


requirements in a way that benefits all parts of the supply chain.


• To learn more about how BMF Campus can support your organisation, or to explore how you can get involved as a merchant or supplier, contact the BMF Campus team: Email: info@cortexa.co.uk Call: +44 (0) 330 024 2881


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