INDUSTRY VOICE
BMCareers platform delivers real results for William Hercock
In an encouraging example of how industry-driven initiatives are helping to tackle recruitment challenges, William Hercock Ltd has successfully hired a new team member through the Building Materials Careers (BMCareers) platform, highlighting the real-world value of connecting businesses with local talent. For many merchants and suppliers across the sector, attracting and retaining skilled staff remains one of the most persistent obstacles to growth. Recognising this, William Hercock took proactive steps to invest in the future of their workforce by bringing apprentices on board and creating meaningful pathways into the industry for young people. As part of this forward-thinking approach, the company engaged with the BMF, already employing
and to employ apprentices across the business, with the intention of developing young people that would then eventually fill some key roles in the future.”
two apprentices through BMF- supported schemes. The launch of the BMCareers platform provided a timely and powerful extension of these efforts.
“We, like most merchants and suppliers in our sector, face a number of challenges. One of the most difficult areas is recruiting and filling roles within the business,” said Tudor Jones, Managing Director at William Hercock. “We took the decision to take matters into our own hands
Introduced to the BMCareers platform by BMF Regional Manager Craig Jennings, the William Hercock team quickly saw the potential and wasted no time registering and completing their employer profile. The result was an efficient and effective recruitment process.
This success story is an example of the BMCareers platform’s goal to bridge the gap between employers and new entrants to the industry. With tools like BMCareers making a tangible impact, the building materials sector is finding new ways to invest in the next generation and future-proof its workforce.
Building momentum: MasterMerchant 2025 and BMF Dragon Boat Race fuel industry spirit
From the beautiful backdrop of the Lake District to Cliff Lakes waterfront, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of momentum and meaning for the building materials sector. Two of the BMF’s flagship events, MasterMerchant and the Dragon Boat Race, have not only showcased the strength of teamwork but also a shared sense of purpose as the countdown to MasterMerchant’s 40th anniversary in 2027 begins. Among the competitors were teams from Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland, EH Smith, Harlow Timber Group, JT Dove, and the BMF Young Merchants. The standout story of the weekend belonged to the Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland “Thermal Titans”,
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who made history by securing a second consecutive win and becoming the first supplier team to claim a place on the MasterMerchant shield. “This was my third time running the event,” said BMF Events Manager, Stacey Lock, “and each year I’m reminded why this tradition matters so much. Here’s to an even stronger showing in 2026, as we build toward the 40th anniversary of
BMF MasterMerchant in 2027.” The same spirit of teamwork, was on display at the BMF Dragon Boat Race, another standout moment in the 2025 calendar. With colourful teams, fast-paced heats, and high- energy paddling, the event brought together merchants and suppliers in a display of shared purpose - raising funds for charity while reinforcing inter- company bonds in the process. Beyond the races and rivalries, both events offered something far greater: a chance to strengthen relationships, grow leadership skills, and invest in the future of our industry. With spirits high and new bonds forged, the momentum is already building for next year.
BMF DIARY DATES
Please check the BMF website at
www.bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
10-year
infrastructure pipeline now available
Civils Merchants will want to know that the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has unveiled the long- awaited Infrastructure Pipeline that accompanies the Ten Year Infrastructure Strategy that NISTA published in June.
This is an interactive portal that describes £530 billions’ worth of expenditure towards around 780 programmes & projects to be delivered over the next 10 years for both the public services and private commercial clients. The Infrastructure Pipeline contains data on project timelines, size, funding status, location and procurement routes. Projects worth £285 billion are to be funded solely by the public sector - notably on transport schemes and school, hospital, courts & prison buildings. Both the Infrastructure Strategy and the Pipeline will feature in the forthcoming BMF Civils & Infrastructure Forum on Thursday September 4, chaired by Keyline’s commercial director Chris Woollard in central London. To register online and book your place at our Forum, go to the BMF Events registration page at:
https://shorturl.at/nki9U The NISTA pipeline portal is availible at:
https://pipeline.nista.grid.
civilservice.gov.uk/introduction
Below: BeckyWood, CEO of NISTA
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2025
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