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Martin Stables Joins BMF as Board Advisor
The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has appointed Martin Stables, CEO of the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG), as a Board Advisor, effective from 18 September 2024.
Martin, who became IBMG’s Chief Commercial Officer in 2021, brings over two decades of experience in the industry, including a long tenure with Saint-Gobain’s merchanting brands. He was promoted to CEO in 2022 and now leads a skilled management team driving
IBMG’s success across southern England. Under his leadership, the group has experienced rapid growth through mergers, acquisitions, new branch openings, and organic expansion since 2018. The BMF Board consists of directors and non-voting advisors, who are appointed to provide valuable insight on merchant, supplier, regional, or specialist matters.
BMF Chairman Richard Hill welcomed the appointment, stating: “As the ownership
UK government makes decision on CE marking for publication There is good news from
Westminster regarding CE Marking for materials & products under the Construction Products Regulation that was due to end in Great Britain on 30 June 2025.
The Minister for Building Safety (Rushanara Ali MP) announced that the use of CE Marking on construction products will be extended beyond June next year - in 9 months’ time - when placing goods on the market. We are pleased to say the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has listened to the BMF and other industry
bodies that (for several years) have warned of insufficient testing capacity & capability for manufacturers to have goods assessed and certified for the British market.
Whitehall will recognise both the CE Mark and UKCA Mark for conformity assessment, certification & labelling of materials and products. In addition: • ministers have committed to system-wide reform of how such goods are regulated; • UKCA Marking will remain a valid and acceptable regulatory mark;
The EU deforestation-free regulation is coming
In June 2023, the European Commission adopted a new regulation to prevent illegal logging, deforestation and habitat loss - called the EU Deforestation- Free Regulation 2023/1115 - that will replace the existing EU Timber Regulation.
The EUDR applies to goods made from certain commodities that cannot be placed on the EU market (or exported out of the EU) unless conditions are met. Brussels wants to stop the expansion of agriculture in forests linked to the production of meat,
October 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
landscape of the merchant sector evolves, it’s vital that the BMF reflects these changes within its own leadership. We are delighted to have Martin join as a Board Advisor. His extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and growth, supporting our members across the industry.”
• ministers will explore the long-term future of CE & UKCA Marking arrangements; • any subsequent changes to CE Marking will be subject to a minimum 2-year transitional period; • the MHCLG will engage with UK Conformity Assessment Bodies, the UK Accreditation Service, and the wider supply chain to strengthen the testing & certification market.
This very welcome news means a ‘cliff edge’ next summer - after which you could not have legally sold certain goods that had not achieved UKCA status - has been avoided. You can continue to supply goods to the GB market, without them needing to be re- tested, and therefore not having the extra costs and regulatory burden that it would have entailed.
palm oil, coffee & rubber. For BMF members, this means timber and wood-based materials like paper & pulp. Inevitably, it means more due diligence, upholding environmental regulations, keeping traceability records, complying with local employment laws, and vigilance against the possibility of slavery or corruption.
BMF Announces 2025 Charity Partners
The BMF has selected two charity partners for 2025: Variety, the Children’s Charity, and The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT). Variety works to enhance the lives of children and young people across the UK who are sick, disabled, or disadvantaged. The charity was last supported by the BMF in 2018, when funds raised by the federation, alongside the Vado Rally, helped purchase a new Sunshine Coach. This coach has enabled children under Variety’s care to enjoy regular events, days out, and holidays. TEFT provides essential educational funding for marginalised and vulnerable children in Kenya, including support for the Kisima School, a residential school for 160 children. BMF CEO John Newcomb has been personally involved with the charity for 11 years and was appointed to its Board of Trustees earlier this year, making this partnership especially meaningful. This announcement follows a highly successful year of fundraising for the Lighthouse Charity, which supports the mental wellbeing of the construction workforce and works to reduce industry-related suicides. So far, the BMF has raised £22,250 for the Lighthouse Charity through a variety of events, including the Annual Members Conference and Awards Dinner, which also generated £2,750 for the Maddie Rose Campaign.
John Newcomb expressed his gratitude: “We’re incredibly thankful for the generosity of our members in supporting this year’s causes. As we look ahead to 2025, both Variety and TEFT deliver life-changing programmes for children and young people, and with the support of our members, we can help them continue their vital work.”
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