PEOPLE 10 MINUTES WITH:
What’s your job title? Head of Sustainability at STARK UK.
How long have you been in this role? Just over 18 months.
What are the main functions of your role? I drive, champion and support sustainability across the organisation. That includes helping our branches reduce operational carbon in areas like our buildings and transport, as well as promoting our low carbon product range - Building for the Future - and supporting the learning and development of our people. I also work to reduce waste across our operations and, perhaps most importantly, I help Jewson customers make more sustainable choices on their journey to lower carbon buildings.
What appealed to you about this industry?
I started out in retail, but I was drawn to a new challenge and joined the STARK UK family as a sales consultant over 15 years ago. From the start, I was taken aback by the energy, the pace, the people, and the real-world impact of what we do. Over time, I realised just how central construction is to shaping communities, supporting livelihoods and tackling big-picture issues like sustainability.
What have been the highlights of your career so far? There have been a few real highlights in my career so far. My top three would be: 1. Helping to deliver Jewson’s first Sustainability Centre at our Cringleford Road branch in Norwich earlier this year. It’s a space that brings to life everything our customers need to build net-zero-ready homes and comply with regulations. It’s been amazing to see the impact it’s already having. 2. Supporting colleagues through the rollout of our sustainability training across the entire organisation. Making sure sustainability is relevant and accessible at every level is something I’m really passionate about.
3. Being shortlisted as a finalist for the Sustainability Champion Award at this year’s Everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. It was a huge personal honour, but more than that, it’s a reflection of the brilliant, collective effort across our business to embed sustainability into everything we do.
If you could go back to the start of your career, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
I’d tell myself not to wait until you feel 100% ready for something - just start. Growth comes from stepping into the unknown, asking questions and learning as you go. I’d also remind myself that my voice matters, even if it seems a little scary at first. Be curious, be brave, and trust that the path will unfold as you keep moving forward.
What are the main issues for builders merchants and for the construction industry at the moment? Right now, the construction industry is under pressure from a few key areas. Rising costs and delays are making it harder to plan and deliver projects, especially for smaller businesses. Labour shortages are also a challenge, with skilled trades in high demand.
At the same time, new sustainability and safety rules are coming in, which can feel like extra work but also open the door to new opportunities, especially for those who get ahead of the curve. At Jewson, we’re focused on supporting our customers through these challenges, whether that’s by offering low-carbon product options, advice, or training to help customers build smarter and stay compliant.
What are the best things about this industry?
One of the best things about this industry is that we’re quite literally helping to build the future, from homes and schools to hospitals and entire communities. That’s pretty incredible when you stop and think about it. And then there are
Normans, the Jersey builders’ merchant, welcomes Paula Thomas (l) and Arlene Maltman (r) as sales director, and head of marketing, respectively. This follows the arrival of Martina McGibney as managing director in early 2025.
18 SABRINA PASSLEY Head of Sustainability, STARK UK
the incredible people in the industry, who are brilliant, practical, passionate and always ready to take on a challenge. There’s a real sense of pride and purpose in what we do, and that’s something I really value.
What are the things that frustrate you about the sector?
One of the things that can be frustrating is the speed of progress, especially when it comes to sustainability. There’s sometimes a ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mindset, which can hold people back from adopting smarter, more sustainable ways of working. There’s also a gap in knowledge and confidence around things like low-carbon materials or circular economy principles, which is understandable. This is why support, training and collaboration are so important. The good news is, once people see the benefits of sustainability, they’re usually all in.
If you could make some major changes to the industry right now, what would you do?
I’d start by making sustainability the default, not the exception. That means accelerating the shift to low-carbon materials, improving waste management across the supply chain, and making data on product impact more transparent and accessible. I’d also love to see more investment in upskilling the workforce so that everyone, from apprentices to directors, feels empowered to make more sustainable choices.
What’s your favourite part of the world? Favourite city?
I love Thailand, especially Phuket. I’ve been lucky enough to visit several times and I am always amazed by the warmth of the people, the incredible food and the rich culture. They call it the ‘Land of Smiles,’ and it really lives up to that. One of my favourite experiences was driving quad bikes up to a Buddhist temple and then pausing for a bit of meditation. It was right up my street! BMJ
ON THE MOVE
Marc McCubbin has been appointed Area Sales Manager for Scotland at Jefferson Tools. With over 15 years’ experience in the tools and hardware distribution sector, McCubbin brings a proven track record in retail, field sales, and account management to the role.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
