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PLASSON UK appoints apprentice area sales manager


BMF member PLASSON UK is thrilled to announce the appointment of Harry Slade as its new area sales manager for the West Midlands and South Wales, effective April 15, 2024. With prior experience in internal sales roles, Slade joins PLASSON UK as an apprentice, undertaking a 15-month journey towards achieving his Level 4 BMF Sales Professional qualification.


In his new role, Slade will be on the field, cultivating


relationships with both new and existing customers, honing his sales skills, and contributing to the growth of PLASSON’s product portfolio for water and gas supply pipes.


PLASSON UK, with its extensive customer network across the UK, provides an ideal platform for Slade to kickstart his learning journey. Sales Director Ian Wood expressed excitement about Slade’s appointment, highlighting the company’s commitment to his professional development.


to contribute to PLASSON UK’s success and praising the company’s dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.


Slade shared his enthusiasm, expressing his eagerness


The BMF, in collaboration with LEAP Apprenticeships & Early Careers, facilitates apprenticeships for the construction industry, including builders’ merchants, empowering them to enhance their careers through skill development and knowledge acquisition.


BMF takes a look at Labour Party’s planning policy


With a General Election most likely later this year, the BMF keeps a watchful eye on Labour Party policies on housing and planning.


In a Westminster Hall debate, Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, reaffirmed Labour’s stance on reforming planning policy if they are elected.


Mr Pennycook said there is a “need for enforceable housing targets” to reach the Government’s target of 300,000 homes a year. He argued that,


under the revised National Planning Policy Framework, advisory targets gave councils


Ian Stokes Joins BMF Board


Ian Stokes, managing director of Knauf UK and Ireland, has been elected to the Board of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) as the Elected Director- Suppliers, effective from April 1 2024; he succeeds Mike Ward of Wavin, who stepped down earlier this year.


With over 20 years of experience in the building materials sector and having served as managing director at Knauf since 2010, Stokes is well- positioned to represent supplier


member interests on the BMF Board.


Richard Hill, BMF chair, expressed his delight at Stokes’s appointment, noting his extensive background and valuable experience, making him an ideal successor to Ward. Richard highlighted the importance of Ian’s expertise in advancing skills development within the sector and raising public awareness of the industry’s appeal to aspiring professionals.


John Newcomb, BMF CEO, May 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


too much freedom to deliberately plan for less housing than necessary.


In a precursor to Labour’s Election Manifesto, he said his Party would “be focused on a bold evolution of the planning system in England, not a complete dismantling of it…a discrete number of targeted changes to the existing system, coupled with decisive action to ensure that every element of it functions optimally” to ensure delivery of 1.5 million new homes over five years.


One targeted change would be “an effective mechanism for cross-boundary strategic planning”, which could “overcome housing delivery challenges around towns and cities with tightly drawn administrative boundaries.” This message is wholly consistent with face-to-face conversations the BMF had with Matthew Pennycook MP at his Party Conference last October - and previous statements made in the Commons we have seen on Parliament TV.


to Ward for his invaluable contributions and support. Stokes’s appointment signifies a significant addition to the BMF Board, reinforcing its commitment to representing the interests of supplier members and promoting excellence within the building materials sector.


echoed Hill’s sentiments, expressing his anticipation of working with Stokes. Newcomb emphasised Stokes’s alignment with the values of the BMF Board and extended his gratitude


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.


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