NEWSROUND


BMF to seek new CEO as Newcomb moves to Executive Chair role


John Newcomb, currently CEO of builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation is to step up to the new role of Executive Chairman from October 1, as the organisation recruits a new CEO. The new Executive Chair role replaces the existing non-executive position, and will combine governance responsibilities with an executive mandate to support broader industry engagement and growth. The changes are planned to coincide with the retirement of current chairman Richard Hill. Since 2020, the BMF has expanded significantly in size


and scope, achieving greater


recognition and influence with


government, strengthened support for


members, and led key initiatives. Membership has grown by 44%, reaching 1,020 merchant, supplier, and service companies across the UK and Ireland. As Executive Chairman, Newcomb will remain the external ambassador for the BMF, representing the building materials


sector to government policymakers and other industry


bodies. He will also establish and chair a new Strategic


Development Board to expand and deepen the Federation’s activities.


Recruitment for the role will begin this month, with the successful candidate expected to be in post at the start of October. All BMF operational roles will report in to the new CEO.


CPA downgrades forecasts for 2026


The Construction Products Association has downgraded its Winter forecasts, expecting overall construction output to rise by just 1.7% in 2026, a significant drop from the 2.8% growth forecast in October. The slowdown in activity in key sectors has persisted and the largest sector, private housing, output is forecast to grow by only 1.5% in 2026, revised down from a forecast of 4.0% in Autumn.


Private housing rm&i saw subdued activity throughout 2025, despite a sustained period


of real income growth, reductions in interest rates and households with accumulated savings. Yet activity will be negatively affected by the ending of the government’s ECO programme of energy- efficiency improvements in March. The forecast for private housing rm&i output has been revised


down to a contraction of 1.0% in 2026, a second year of decline. Infrastructure activity remains strong, driven by energy generation and distribution and increased investment in water infrastructure. Overall, infrastructure output is forecast to rise by 3.9% in 2026, unchanged from the Autumn 2025 forecast publication. CPA head of construction research, Rebecca Larkin said: “We enter 2026 with little to suggest that the conditions that held back construction over the last 12 months are improving.”


Triton Showers wins patent infringement appeal of the patent in question, which


Triton Showers will continue to sell its range of DuElec electric showers in the UK and Ireland, following its victory in the Court of Appeal in a long-running patent infringement action brought by Kohler Mira.


In its judgment dated 22 December 2025, the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the lower court’s findings of both validity and infringement


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concerned Triton’s range of dual outlet electric showers. This follows an initial court ruling in December 2024, which found in favour of Kohler Mira. Working with law firm Shakespeare Martineau, Triton subsequently secured permission to appeal the decision.


Phil Viner, managing director at Triton Showers, said: “Over recent


NBG shelters Anderson Roofing as new Partner


Wokingham-based Anderson Roofing Supplies Ltd has become the latest merchant to join buying group NBG as a Partner. Anderson Roofing, which started up in 2003, has a second branch in Camberley, which opened in October 2019.


Sales director Gavin Smith, has worked in merchanting since 1998 and joined the company in June 2010. He says: “Since joining, we’ve been able to buy directly from suppliers we couldn’t reach before, and that’s given us better pricing. NBG has already helped in areas like UPVC plastics, and that means we can offer our customers more competitive quotes.”


Marshalls updates on 2025 trade


Manufacturer Marshalls has provided a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2025. Landscaping Products’ revenue was £266m, down 1% compared to 2024. Building Products’ revenue was £172m, and Roofing Products’ revenue was £194m, which is an increase of 4%, driven by growth in Viridian Solar, partially offset by a reduction in Marley.


years, we have been working towards resolving a legal dispute concerning the DuElec electric shower. During this time, our legal team has vigorously defended Triton’s position, and the Court of Appeal has now ruled in Triton’s favour. We are therefore pleased to confirm that Triton will continue to sell its highly successful range of DuElec electric showers in the UK and Ireland.”


CEO Simon Bourne, said: “Marshalls delivered a resilient performance, evidenced by a return to revenue growth despite the challenging market backdrop, and delivering profits in-line with the market’s expectations. We have made good progress with our ‘Transform & Grow’ strategy and with an increased focus on execution, I am confident that the Group is well positioned to benefit from a market recovery and structural growth drivers over the medium term.” The Group will announce its


full results for the year ended 31 December 2025 on 16 March.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2026


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