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Award-winning journalist to speak at BMF Members’ Day
that led to an enquiry by MPs on the Treasury Committee in the House of Commons. In 2016, he won the prestigious Wincott Award for Financial Journalism for his work on fraud and vishing.
AWARD-WINNING BBC business journalist and broadcaster, Joe Lynam has been confirmed as the latest speaker at the BMF’s Mem- bers’ Day Annual Conference at St George’s Park on 27 September 2018.
Joe’s business brief covers companies, the economy, EU, UK and Ireland and he regularly appears on BBC News, BBC Breakfast and Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme. He won the 2018 Headline Money Award for Business Story of the Year after exposing RBS’ mistreatment of its small business customers – a report
BMF’s John Newcomb said: “Joe has a wealth of knowledge across business and the economy in the UK and Europe and we are looking forward to hearing his take on the factors that will affect the merchant sector in the coming year.” The theme of BMF Members’ Day Annual Conference (sponsored by Encon Insulation) is “The Future belongs to the Bold.” The Business Conference is followed by the BMF’s black-tie Awards Dinner (sponsored by Marsh Industries), celebrating the achievements of young people working in the industry.
Book your place at
www.bmf.
org.uk/events.
BMF meets MPs about apprentices
THE BMF WAS in Parliament again last month to meet MPs and Peers at the invitation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships.
Two themes emerged: • parity of esteem between academic and vocational education - and persuading parents there is no sigma in their children not going to university
• raising the current minimum wage rate for apprentices from £3.70p per hour to something more likely to boost the number of the youngest apprentices. The latest Department for Education figures show a 34% drop in new apprentice starts between August 2017 and April 2018, compared to 2016-2017, and a fall of 24.5% compared to the year before that.
This sizeable drop endorses the view that the Apprenticeship Levy
is not working as intended. Unless modifications are made quickly, companies will find it harder to invest in the quantity and quality of new learners they want - especially in the manual trades that we so desperately need.
The BMF met Conservative MPs from Basildon, Cheltenham and Chichester; Labour MPs from Bristol, Blackpool and Newcastle; and representatives of all parties in the House of Lords.
Peter Hindle MBE to extend term as BMF Chairman
Plumbase MD to Chair BMF P&H Forum
MARK BRADLEY, MANAGING Director of Plumbase, will take over as Chair of the BMF’s Plumbing & Heating Forum from its next meeting on 6 November.
Mark’s background in sales and operations included early roles in retail before moving into the trade sector, where his wide-ranging experience included roles with Dulux Decorator Centres, BSS Group, Buck & Hickman and Brammer Group before moving to
Plumbase.
He takes over as BMF P&H Forum Chair at a pivotal time. Mark views the expertise and knowledge of the people employed as the key differentiator for all merchant businesses. However, a report by AMA Research confirmed the internet as the fastest-growing distribution channel of the UK P&H market and predicted that online sales of plumbing products are set to increase by a further 43% by 2022.
BMF’s John Newcomb said: “Plumbing & Heating was our first specialist Forum, set up four years ago to reflect the importance of this sector. It is now the fastest growing area of BMF membership. Mark takes over the role of Forum Chair from Keith Jones formerly of Wolseley, who I would like to thank for his excellent contribution in furthering the Forum’s success after it was established under our initial Chair, Ron Walker of HPS.”
The BMF welcomes the following new members:
THE BMF HAS confirmed that Peter Hindle MBE will remain in post as Chairman until March 2020. The 12-month extension of his term of office will provide continuity at Board level as the BMF focuses on its next stage of development. BMF’s John Newcomb said: “Peter was instrumental in the development of our initial strategic roadmap and the Board and myself are extremely pleased that he has agreed to continue as Chairman during the latest phase of development and implementation.” Peter Hindle said: “I am encouraged by the progress the BMF has made in representing the building materials supply chain and promoting professionalism throughout the whole merchant industry and I am happy to continue playing a role within this.”
August 2018
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