RISING STARS THE NEXT GENERATION
BMJ meets some of the younger members of the sector, those ensuring that the industry will thrive in the future. This month, Collier & Catchpole’s Louise Parkes, winner of the BMF Young Merchant Achiever Award 2025.
What is your current role/title? Marketing manager at an independent builders’ merchant called Collier & Catchpole.
What does your day-to-day look like? My role is incredibly varied, no two days ever look the same. A big part of my job is making sure our messaging reaches customers in the most authentic way possible. That means I can often be found out in the yard or on-site, capturing behind- the-scenes moments like deliveries, loading, or key moments at Colliers.
I manage all of our social media, creating content to keep momentum going, while also engaging closely with our suppliers both online and offline. Internally, I produce our monthly newsletter, celebrate employee milestones, and make sure we’re sharing the stories that matter. Externally, I work on everything from customer research and monthly offers to event promotion, including our flagship events like the Landscaping Roadshow, Summer Bonanza, September Sizzler, and Winter Wonderland. On event days I am focused on capturing videos and photography that we can all use for future promotion.
On top of that, I collaborate with suppliers on product displays, design and manage our merchandise, oversee website development and support sponsorships, industry events and charity days. I am also part of the BM Careers working group with the BMF to help showcase the opportunities in our sector. As a one-person marketing team, it’s a lot of plate spinning, but that is what makes my role so rewarding.
What inspired you to enter the industry? Like many people, I fell into the sector without really knowing what it was all about, but I was quickly inspired by the vital role building materials play in shaping the world around us. Everywhere you go, you can see the impact of this industry. I’ve always believed that skills are transferable, and with my background in marketing and content creation, it was exciting to join a business with such a rich story to tell and so much to shout about.
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What was your entry point? I joined Collier & Catchpole three and a half years ago with a very open brief: “Let people know who we are and what we do.” It gave me the freedom to explore, learn the business from the inside out, and develop marketing strategies that would really make a difference.
What training have you undertaken? I’ve always been creative. I studied Photography, Psychology and Sociology at A Level, which really nurtured both my love of storytelling, and my curiosity about people and what drives them. From there, I completed a three-year Business & Administration apprenticeship in the marketing, tourism and events space, which gave me a solid grounding in how organisations communicate and engage. Since then, most of my development has been hands-on. I’ve taught myself video editing, explored digital marketing tools, and embraced social media from the very beginning. Over the last 10 years, it’s been very much about learning on the job, adapting and building skills in real time. I’ve learned directly from the people around me: mentors, colleagues, suppliers and customers. That’s been just as valuable as any classroom or course.
Has your career gone in the direction you planned?
Not at all, but in the best way. I’ve never had a strict plan, just taken one step at a time. Every role has taught me something new, and in marketing especially, trial and error is part of the process. Each opportunity has opened unexpected doors, and that’s the beauty of it. Let your career surprise you. Don’t pressure yourself to follow just one path.
What would you say are the biggest challenges young merchants face? Awareness is a big one. Many young people don’t realise the variety of opportunities in our industry. according to the BMF Building Materials Sector Research report 2024 “60% of 18–24-year-olds would not consider a career in building materials”, and that is a real shame.
Building materials is at the heart of the construction industry, making, selling, and distributing everything needed for the UK’s building projects. It’s a vibrant and varied place to build a career, with opportunities across every stage; from design, production and logistics to finance, marketing, sales, and customer support. We are working hard to make the sector more visible, so we can attract and retain the best talent possible.
Where do you want to be in 10 years? Continuing to champion innovation, digital skills, and inclusivity in the sector. I do not like to plan too far ahead. I will continue to focus on developing my own skills, supporting the people around me, and I will see where that takes me.
What could be done to encourage more young people into the industry? We need to keep showing just how diverse and exciting this sector really is. The building materials community is incredibly supportive and unique, like a well-kept secret. Campaigns like BM Careers are a brilliant start, but as businesses, we need to open our doors, showcase the variety of roles, and highlight the real impact we have on the world around us.
It’s important to show that there’s no single pathway into the industry; whether you’re creative, technical, analytical, or hands-on, there’s a place for you. I’ve met so many people who started at entry level and quickly worked their way to the top, and I want to play my part in making sure those stories are told.
What advice would you give to people looking to enter the industry? Don’t rule out a career in building materials just because you don’t know much about it. From the outside, it might not sound glamorous, but the opportunities are huge, and the industry will always be here. Wherever something has been built, throughout history, someone has been there to provide the materials. That is not going to change any time soon. Bring your skills, bring your ideas, and don’t be afraid to do things differently. This industry has space for you. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2025
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