INDUSTRY VOICE
As part of our continued commitment to strengthening members’ operational resilience, the BMF is pleased to welcome Intercity as a new Business Service Provider.
According to the National Cyber Security Centre, nationally significant cyberattacks have risen by 50%. Merchants are now prime targets due to tightly connected supply chains and the cost of operational downtime. A single incident affecting your business, or a supplier you rely on, can cause disruption and financial loss.
To support BMF members, Intercity has developed an exclusive Cloud and Security Audit offer. This practical package combines three targeted services designed to reduce cost, improve security and strengthen day-to- day resilience:
• Microsoft Licensing Review Many businesses pay for tools they don’t use. Across the merchant sector, Intercity’s reviews have delivered average savings of £10 per user, per month. • Microsoft 365 Security Assessment
A clear snapshot of your Microsoft 365 configuration, highlighting gaps that could expose your people to phishing, data loss or account compromise, along with prioritised recommendations.
BMF Open Day: inviting new members to step inside What to expect
We are opening our doors to New BMF members on January 27 to come and meet the BMF team and help you get the best out of your membership from day one. This is your opportunity to connect with the BMF team, and get insider access to BMF’s market intelligence, economic reports and policy updates. Learn how our data and insights keep members one step ahead in an ever-changing market, helping you make faster, smarter business decisions.
We’ll kick off the day with a warm welcome from BMF commercial director, Mike Tattam and BMF CEO, John Newcomb, will outline the mission that drives the BMF.
Policy and public affairs manager, Brett Amphlett, will guide you through the fast- moving regulatory landscape and how the BMF can help you keep compliant, followed by Oz Bham, supplier engagement director, with a dive into product data,
Purpose-built learning for the building materials sector
BMF Campus, developed in partnership with Cortexa, is a Learning Management System (LMS) designed for individuals in the building materials sector, with an extensive library of courses built to engage learners, strengthen competence, and drive improvements in day-to-day performance.
The updated pricing model 26
is simple and scalable, allowing you to pay only for what you use. Whether you’re training one person or rolling out development across your entire organisation, BMF Campus keeps industry- specific learning accessible and cost-effective.
Gain access to all supplier- commissioned product training, plus the BMF Building Blocks,
the core set of industry-specific courses, amounting to over 70 hours of foundational, sector- made online training, these include: • Introduction to residential construction
After a short break, Tattam will return with the practical commercial benefits available to members. BMF Industry analyst/ economist, Andrei Imbru, will go on to provide a clear view of market trends.
Rounding off the day, BMF regional managers Craig Jennings and Suzanne Millward will speak about how your regional manager can directly support you. The day will wrap up with
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.
New business service provider presents a smarter way to safeguard your business
• Security Consultancy (vCISO) Direct access to Intercity’s virtual chief information security officer, Phil Bindley, who translates technical findings into clear business actions.
The BMF Cloud and Security Audit is offered at a members- only rate and provides a fast, disruption-free way to identify unnecessary costs and strengthen your security. To book your audit contact Andy Newbrook, business development manager on 0777 496 5967 or email andy.
newbrook@intercity.technology
Data Yard and broader benefits of your membership.
an open discussion and Q&A, followed by a networking lunch at 13:00, giving you the chance to connect with industry peers and BMF specialists. To book your place, please contact Donna on 02476 854 998 or at Donna.Taylor-Smith@bmf.
org.uk.
• Introduction to bathrooms • Buildings insulation • Landscaping • An introduction to drylining • Customer care • Timber as a building material • Heating and hot water comfort • Domestic showering • Above ground drainage • Working safely and securely • Project management Ready to develop your team’s skills and performance? Contact Cortexa on +44 (0)330 024 2881 or email
info@cortexa.co.uk
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2026
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