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BMF Members’ Day: Sir James


Cleverly MP is keynote speaker The BMF has announced the first name in an impressive lineup of speakers for the upcoming Members’ Day Conference and Awards, returning to the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham on September 17 - 18 2025. This year’s event will explore the theme “Engaging with the Future” and leading the forward-looking agenda will be The RT Hon Sir James Cleverly MP, a seasoned Cabinet Minister with rare experience across both foreign and domestic affairs.


Sir James brings a unique perspective to the stage. His career spans the military, business, local government, and frontline politics, giving him insight into how decisions at the highest level ripple across every layer of society — including the construction and building materials sector. Having first entered national politics in 2015 as Conservative MP for Braintree, Sir James has played key roles during some of the most challenging periods in recent history, from the UK’s


response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to issues such as immigration, counter-terrorism, and the UK’s


evolving relationship with the EU. He was


awarded a knighthood earlier this year.


John Newcomb, BMF CEO, commented: “We are delighted that James Cleverly will address BMF Members’ Day this year. He is not only one of the country’s senior politicians, but the breadth of his experience in business and the military adds to his insights into the global and domestic political landscapes.” With a top class speaker lineup, this year’s event promises a compelling combination of strategic insight, political perspective and practical takeaways.


Places are filling fast, register your space today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of our industry. Contact Stacey.Lock@bmf.org.uk or visit www.bmf.org.uk.


BMF meets MPs on net zero housing


Progress on net zero housing was the focus of last month’s All-Party Parliamentary Group


on Net Zero. Brett Amphlett and Ben Scobie of the BMF were at this over-subscribed meeting in the House of Commons. The Chairman, Alex Sobel MP (Leeds Central), brought together speakers from Barratt Redrow, Trustmark, UK Green Building Council and the National Wealth Fund to discuss the incentives, investment and innovation needed to overcome barriers hindering progress towards net zero housing.


On new build, Barrett Redrow looked forward to the long-awaited Future Homes Standard to be published in October/November this year. It is already fitting heat pumps and solar pv as standard in new homes. On existing buildings, Trustmark said that the number one priority must be to create demand for energy efficiency. The current language is also unhelpful - “retrofitting” is off-putting - it is better to say “refurbishment” or “home improvement”. Trustmark also said SMEs do not take on such work because they don’t have the necessary workers.


On carbon, the UK Green Building Council pointed everyone towards their “Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap” for the built environment that they produced back in 2021. There was general agreement that the absence of a National Retrofit Strategy is unhelpful to everybody working towards net zero housing. The meeting concluded with Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, giving some insights into what the much- debated and long-overdue Warm Homes Plan is for and why. She outlined the core objectives that ministers want the Warm Homes Plan to tackle - notably to improve living conditions and cut bills. The Chancellor’s Spending Review has confirmed that the Warm Homes Plan will be funded to the tune of £13.2 bn.


Skills shortage tops agenda as sector gears up for growth As the UK economy shows signs


of renewed growth and the Government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes edges closer, the building materials sector is rallying around one of its most pressing concerns: the national skills shortage.


With demand for homes surging and construction activity set to accelerate, the pressure is on to ensure that the workforce is ready and able to deliver. But attracting skilled individuals, whether on the tools, in logistics, sales, or digital roles, remains a critical challenge. In response to this challenge, the BMF continues to develop its Building Materials Careers


initiative. The programme, “Make a Material Difference”, is a call to action to recruit, retain and reskill the talent needed for the sector’s future.


Supported by over 1,000 BMF member companies, the initiative highlights just how vital people are to the UK’s construction supply chain.


The programme is tailored to appeal to a wide range of jobseekers, from school leavers and apprentices to career changers, armed forces veterans and those returning to work. It also prioritises inclusivity and diversity, tapping into talent from all walks of life to meet the changing needs of a


July 2025 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


modern, green, and tech-enabled industry.


A key part of the campaign


is the bmcareers.com portal, which offers real-life stories, training opportunities, and direct links to active employers across the country. With nearly 3,000 recruitment locations nationwide, jobseekers can find opportunities close to home - whether they’re starting out, upskilling or switching careers.


It comes on the back of the BMF’s successful Apprenticeship Pledge, which surpassed its goal earlier this year of getting members to pledge to recruit and train 15,000 people by 2030.


This sector isn’t just talking about change, it’s driving it.


With the skills shortage now seen as one of the biggest risks, and greatest opportunities, for the sector’s growth, we urge all BMF members to get involved: • Showcase your company on bmcareers.com. • Nominate a Designated Campaign Owner to lead recruitment activity in your organisation. • Tap into the ‘Talent Pool’ of over 100 jobseekers already registered and interested in the sector. There has never been a better time to help make a material difference.


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