PEOPLE


Brett Martin has promoted Neil Antrobus to the role of regional sales manager within its Plumbing and Drainage division, leading a team of six business development managers


(BDMs) in the central region, supporting merchant partners, and identifying new sales opportunities, stepping up to the role following colleague Paul Wadsworth’s promotion to national sales manager.


Grant UK has appointed Richard Moncur as its new renewables business development manager covering Scotland and Northern England.


Moncur will be responsible


for supporting renewables business development across the region, working closely with developers, social housing providers, installers, contractors and merchant partners to support the transition to low carbon, sustainable home heating.


Long Rake Spar has announced the promotion of Shane McCormick to group sales director, effective February 2026. He steps up from his role as national sales director to take responsibility for leading the wider group sales strategy. The company has also appointed Alistair Rattenbury as area sales manager for the South West.


Builders merchants Jewson has reorganised its regional structure


into three divisions. Kieran Griffith has been appointed divisional managing director for Southeast, Central and Wales; Allan Davidson is divisional managing director for Scotland and North; Andy Jordan is divisional managing director for Jewson in the Southwest.


Builders merchant buying group H&B has announced the appointment of James Bridge as commercial director. Working alongside the new managing director Richard Baldry and the H&B


board, Bridge’s role will be critical in executing the future strategic direction, and delivering core trading deals for members.


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Landscaping materials supplier Pavestone has appointed Dan Smith as national sales manager. Smith’s appointment follows the appointment of a head of marketing


in January and will further strengthen Pavestone’s commercial team.


Permavent’s new head of technical, Kevin Ley will play a central role in developing and maintaining Permavent’s technical standards, ensuring guidance remains


clear, robust, and ensuring that buildings constructed on site align with industry standards and best practice.


OBITUARY Maurice Tyler


It is with great sadness that BMJ has learned of the death of Maurice Tyler, after a short illness, at the age of 82. A titan of the timber trade, he worked at Alsford Timber,


James Hardie, the producer of fibre cement cladding, backerboard, and fibre gypsum products, has extended the size and remit of its UK marketing team in a move design to support the ongoing growth of the business. Waheeza Tegally has been promoted to head of UK marketing. Jake Hall has been promoted to marketing manager for fermacell products in a new role, and Naomi Campbell joins as marketing manager for Hardie Panel.


Highbourne Group, parent company of plumbers merchant City Plumbing has an- nounced the appoint- ment of Earl Sibley as chief financial officer (CFO). Sibley brings fi- nance, operations and


sector experience, having most recently been CFO and COO of FTSE 250 housebuilder, Vis- try Group, where he oversaw the integration of Bovis Homes and Galliford Try to cement Vistry’s leading market position.


Buildbase, Malden Timber and Lathams during his career. Having joined the family timber business of H.Tyler & Sons in 1961, he was subsequently headhunted by James Latham Importers to help them set up a number of specialist timber centres all over the country. Following this he then progressed his career with a number of other timber merchants and subsequently joined Hall & Co with the brief to develop timber sales within this traditional builders merchant.


In 1998 he was invited by John Griffiths to join him at Alsford Timber to help turn the business around. Maurice joined as commercial director. In 2009 he retired from full time work but took on consultancy roles with the Finnish Government, other businesses & buying groups.


Maurice loved his work and had a phenomenal knowledge of timber, particularly joinery, and he knew and really understood the practical side of mill operations.Maurice is survived by his wife Sylvia, his daughter Julie, his son Chris, and his grandchildren. A service to celebrate Maurice’s life was held on February 25th at 12:15 in Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes, MK8 0AH.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net March 2026


(L-R) Mark Richardson, Rob Richardson, Nick Richardson


James Burrell Builders Merchants has announced the appointment of Nick Richardson to its Board of Directors, joining fellow directors Mark Richardson and Rob Richardson.


He joined James Burrell in 2017, beginning his career within the accounts team, where he spent several years developing a detailed understanding of the company’s financial operations. This appointment marks a milestone for the family-owned business as it continues to build on its heritage.


Samac Fixings has announced the appointment of Simon McElrea as its commercial manager. McElrea has spent more than three decades with a leading independent merchant


in East Anglia, where he played a pivotal role in its growth and development.


Talon has appointed Jade Summers as regional manager for the South East of England. Joining Talon’s team of six Regional Sales Managers, she will be supporting customers as well


as handle merchant enquiries, promote point- of-sale solutions and helping to grow Talon’s distribution footprint.


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