INDUSTRY VOICE


James Norton, Group Managing Director of Frank Key Group, has been appointed Sector Chair of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Finance Forum. The Finance Forum plays a central role within the BMF, providing analysis and insight on fiscal policy developments, budget outcomes, and wider financial issues affecting the building materials supply chain, and wider sector.


Norton brings significant experience to the position. A chartered accountant, he joined Frank Key Group in 2005, appointed Finance Director


initially, and promoted to Group Managing Director shortly thereafter. Since becoming Group Managing Director in 2011, he has led the company through a sustained period of strategic, operational and cultural development.


Alongside his responsibilities at Frank Key, Norton serves as Executive Vice Chair of the National Buying Group LLP (NBG). Having held the position from 2009 to 2015 and again since 2022, he has been instrumental in shaping NBG’s strategy and enhancing value for its independent merchant members.


Norton succeeds Richard Robinson, the outgoing chair of the forum.


Welcoming the appointment, BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “We are delighted to have someone of James’s calibre taking on the


role of Finance Forum chair. His extensive strategic and financial expertise, combined with a strong record of supporting independent merchants, will be of great benefit to the sector. James is a champion of innovation,


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.


James Norton appointed as new Chair of the BMF Finance Forum


efficiency and


collaborative working across the building materials industry. His progressive leadership will be a real asset. I would also like to thank Richard Robinson for his dedicated service to the forum.”


Norton is also active across the wider industry and broader community. He served for 11 years as a Board Trustee of the Rainy Day Trust, including three years as Chair of the charity from 2021 to 2024.


Travis Perkins and Selco back BMDS Data Yard with new investment


Building Materials Digital Services Ltd (BMDS), the joint venture between the BMF and NMBS, created to provide Data Yard, an


industry-owned data


pool, has gained support from two of the largest merchant groups in the industry, with Travis Perkins PLC and Selco Builders Warehouse joining BMDS as external shareholders. With these new shareholders


on board, BMDS has now achieved 70% of its investment target, underscoring growing confidence in Data Yard as the sector’s future standard for sharing and managing


product information.


As part of the investment, Paul Beaman, Group Commercial Director – Merchanting at Travis Perkins, and David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, will join the BMDS Board, taking up


their positions at the next meeting in December.


Richard Hill, BMF Chair, welcomed the development, saying: “Through BMDS we are creating a resilient, future- proof solution to streamline the sharing of product information that benefits the entire building materials supply chain. I am delighted to welcome Travis Perkins PLC and Selco to the project. Together, we are ensuring the supply chain is better equipped for the future, benefitting


Latest housing supply figures for England


The BMF has seen the latest Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government figures, published 20 November, on the net additional dwellings covering 2024-2025 in England.


Total net housing supply increased by 208,600 - a 6% decrease when compared with


36


the previous year. This number is broken down as: • 190,600 newly-built homes • 17,710 homes gained from changing use from non-residential to residential • 3,850 from conversions between houses to flats • 1,080 from other sources like


caravans, house-boats, etc. • offset by 4,630 demolitions to give 208,600 net additional dwellings. • 7,681 of the net additions were completed using permitted development rights. 304 of those were for new build homes; the remaining 7,377 were from a


merchants, suppliers and customers across the UK.” John Newcomb, BMF CEO, added: “The addition of Travis Perkins PLC and Selco as shareholders in BMDS marks a pivotal step forward for our industry’s digital transformation. Their support not only strengthens the reach and impact of Data Yard but also demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration within the building materials sector.”


change of use - most commonly the conversion of former office spaces. By region, the highest level of net additions per 1,000 dwellings was in the East Midlands for the third year running. The lowest was in the North East - as has been the case each year since 2017 - with the exception of 2022-2023 when Yorkshire and The Humber had the lowest number.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2025


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