WELCOME COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE


COLLABORATION, COMMITMENT AND COMMUNITY: the three Cs that oil the wheels of the NBG machine, keeping the cogs turning and powering the buying group’s engine. The additive, if you like, is the other C – compliance, which keeps the NBG Partners sticking to the deals. All this was very much in evidence at the 2025 Conference and Awards in Glasgow, which this special supplement highlights. Once again, BMJ is delighted to have been asked to produce this on behalf of NBG. The theme was Building Partnerships, something NBG has done from day one 22 years ago when it was formed out of the coming together – in true partnership – of the Chandor, Simba and Prospero buying groups.


So, it was appropriate that Glasgow was the NBG baptism of the group’s newest – and now, arguably the largest – Partner: IBC Ltd. The reasoning behind the alliance was well discussed both within and without NBG’s walls (there are very few real secrets in this industry after all) and Mark, Vick and Ian have expanded on their reasons and plans in these pages.


Suffice to say that anything that will help independent businesses in the future is going to be a good thing. It’s good for Suppliers looking for more guaranteed volumes, it’s good for merchants looking for better guaranteed buying deals. Business has been really tough and it will continue to be really tough. If the tie-up can help NBG and IBC’s independent merchant branches to not only fight their corner, but also defend and even grow their territory, then I say bring it on. Fiona Russell Horne


Group Managing Editor, BMJ PREMIER PARTNERSHIPS


WINNING DOESN’T ALWAYS mean someone losing. That’s definitely how we at NBG feel about our latest initiative, the alliance with IBC. By joining us as a Partner, IBC will bring major benefits for our heavyside Suppliers, for our existing Partners and for the merchant branches that are members of IBC. It is a win-win-win. The past few years have been tough on our industry, and there is no doubt things will continue to challenge our Partners and our Suppliers. This is why working together, strengthening our business community and continuing to build profitable, meaningful


partnerships will be more important than ever.


The early signs from the Labour government were hopeful with their ambitious housebuilding targets, and while things haven’t worked out as quickly as they may have planned, by working together we should ensure that we can reap the benefits when things do pick up. This is where our network of agile, forward-thinking independent merchant Partners and quality roster of Suppliers really stand to prosper through the supportive community we all work hard to maintain.


The tight-knit community within NBG is all about creating an environment of sharing, of collaboration and of trusting each other. It’s a community that is greater than the sum of its parts. Mark Hughes


Managing Director, NBG


Published by BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL on behalf of NBG, the National Buying Group.


Datateam Business Media, London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY


Tel: 01622 687031 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


Production Controller: Nic Mandeville


nmandeville@datateam.co.uk EDITORIAL


Group Managing Editor: Fiona Russell Horne 01622 699101


frussell-horne@datateam.co.uk


Assistant Editor: Oliver Stanley 01622 699106


ostanley@datateam.co.uk


Publisher: Paul Ryder


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Media Account Executive: Morgan Borthwick-Hunter mborthwick-hunter@datateam.co.uk 01622 699126


30 Supplier and Partner Awards


Rewarding commitment, engagement and achievement.


32 Networking in Action NBG is a community built upon relationships and friendships.


© Datateam Business Media Ltd 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photo-copying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The title Builders Merchants Journal is registered at Stationers’ Hall.


January 2026 3 ADVERTISING


Group Sales Manager: Dawn Tucker 01622 699148 dtucker@datateam.co.uk


CONTENTS


5 View from the Top Non-Executive Chair Stephen Harrison on his impressions of NBG so far.


6 MD’s Viewpoint


NBG Managing Director Mark Hughes looks back at his nearly two years in the hot seat, and forward at what’s to come.


10 Supplier Summit NBG’s involvement in the Data Yard will be key to its success in the future.


12 Partnership in Action A chat with new Partner IBC Ltd.


14 Headline Sponsor Siniat on why the headline sponsorship of the NBG Conference is so important for the partnership.


15 Technology Sponsor Chatting with Intact about the importance of partnership when it comes to business software.


16 Partner Profile Why two new Partners joined NBG.


18 Renewables How Woodstock is tackling the burgeoning renewables market.


22 Around the Regions A view from the NBG regions.


24 Community in Action NBG Partners and Suppliers are major supporters of the Pavestone Rally. We look at what drives the initiative.


26 Sponsor Spotlight A look at what some of the key sponsors have to say about NBG.


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