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1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue
Coventry CV5 6UB
Tel: 02476 854980
info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk
BMF
The inaugural Kitchens & Bathrooms Forum hosted by the BMF took place at Roca’s new conference and showroom facility in Leicester last month. Newly elected Chairman, Paul Bence (managing
Another
director of the George Bence Group) led the proceedings to a full house of 74 members.
Presentations included a BMF update from BMF CEO John Newcomb, then Nyssa Patel (BMF Industry Analyst/Economist) gave a K & B market report. Jamie Welch (Roca) and Tom Reynolds (BMA) gave an economic and political update to members, then Renee Mascari (Mascari) talked members through kitchen design and the use of open living spaces. Mark Parrish (Cortexa) generated a lot of interest in the BMF Building Blocks training, then Mike Tattam (Lakes Showering Spaces) highlighted the importance of showrooms. Finally, Ben Roberts (Virtual Worlds) gave an interactive and entertaining look into the world of 4D showrooms and their benefits.
The forum closed with a very informative question and answer session, involving all the speakers, where members took the chance to discuss and share their own input in the points raised during the day. Chairman, Paul Bence said: “I very much enjoyed chairing the new BMF K&B Forum, with very engaging and enlightening industry speakers. As
BMF
Award for demonstrating its support for the Armed Forces community through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The scheme encourages employers to support the defence community and highlights companies that share the same values as the armed forces.
To receive the Bronze Award, the BMF signed the Armed Forces
Covenant, a nationwide pledge to support military
personnel both past and present,
This edition reaches you around the date of the General Election on, 12 December. Irrespective of who wins, forms a minority government or another coalition - there will be a Housing Minister.
If the Conservatives win, it is
discussed, there is so much opportunity for merchants to get involved with this sector to grow and diversify their businesses, and I actively encourage more members to get involved in future forums.” BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “This was an excellent launch, addressing many aspects of the kitchen and bathroom supply chain. It was great to see such a huge attendance from our members. Our thanks go to Paul Bence for chairing this event, all the great speakers, to Roca for hosting in their amazing new venue and to Roca and Schneider for the ‘goodie bag’ for members.
The BMF are now actively looking for larger venues for the next K&B Forum. For more information please contact Joanne Exeter at
joanne.exeter@bmf.org.uk.
The BMF has received a Bronze
as well as their dependents,
by treating them with fairness and respect in their
communities for serving with their lives.
Bronze Award holders endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant in all their business
dealings. For example, by recognising the skills, qualities and contribution reservists and veterans can make to the civilian workplace, by granting
extra support and leave for service spouses and ensuring reservist’s
accommodated and supported. opportunities with Building Heroes,
training and deployment is The BMF is exploring
which provides skills training to military veterans and support into employment in the building trades, for a pilot programme with members in BMF’s Anglia Region. BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “Promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation is an important part of the Covenant we signed. Not only will the BMF seek to support the employment of members of the Armed Forces community, we also encourage our members and others in the building materials supply industry to do the same. In doing so we are joining the many businesses that actively recruit from the ex-Forces pool of talent.”
The BMF welcome the following new members: Supplier
Associate
possible the current Minister, Esther McVey, will return if she holds her Cheshire seat, where she defends a 14,000+ majority. Her Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, defends an 18,000+ majority in Newark. Both have only been at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government for five months. If the Labour Party wins, there is likely to be Whitehall re-organisation because Labour is keen on having a separate Ministry of Housing from the current MHCLG. If so, the incoming Secretary of State will be John Healey, representing Wentworth, South Yorkshire, where he has a 14,000+ majority. Accompanying him is likely to be Alex Cunningham from Stockton-on-Tees, who defends an 8,000+ majority. He is
technically-minded having worked for British Gas and National Grid. Alex is keen on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems’ policy. If the Lib Dems enjoy a
resurgence and enter Government again, their Housing Spokesman is Lord John Shipley.
The problem the BMF faces is the rate of churn between ministers. Since May 2010, we have had four General Elections, four Prime Ministers and ten Housing Ministers.
Merchant
December 2019
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
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