INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF fundraising finale tops fantastic year with £77,850 raised
Over 420 people from across the building materials sector came together for the BMF Annual Members’ Conference and Awards, combining practical insight, networking and celebration, and raising an impressive £15,600 for charity on the final night.
For delegates, the event provided an opportunity to step away from the pressures of the market, share experiences and look for new
opportunities.The conference delivered on bringing BMF members together for an
impressive programme of speakers, an insightful panel discussion, and plenty of opportunities to catch up with colleagues from across the building materials
sector. A massive thank you to our headline sponsor NMBS and to all of our event sponsors for their support.
The afternoon workshops gave members the opportunity to explore two key industry topics through our workshops,
BMF guide highlights building materials opportunities to career starters
Young people who have developed discipline,
teamwork and leadership through cadet activities are being encouraged to consider how those skills could translate into a career in the building materials sector.
The BMF has launched a new guide on BMCareers, aimed at cadets, highlighting the wide range of opportunities available to people whose experience as cadets has helped them develop practical and transferable skills. The guide recognises that the qualities developed through cadet life, from working as part of a team and taking responsibility to problem-solving, communication and leadership, are valued across the building materials sector.
38
Those skills can provide a foundation for careers extending well beyond traditional construction roles, including logistics, operations, sales, management and technical positions. For cadets
considering their next step, the new
guide provides another way of looking at the skills they already have. Experience of following procedures, working under pressure, communicating with others and taking on responsibility can all be relevant in a fast- moving business environment. The message is particularly relevant for young people who may not have previously considered building materials as a career.
The Cadet guide is part of the wider BMCareers programme,
looking at product data and growth, and sustainability as a foundation for business success. Delegate feedback cited the conference as vital for “providing
practical ideas on improving communication, identifying growth opportunities, and using industry insights to support more strategic conversations with customers.”
The black-tie Awards Dinner then put the spotlight on the
which aims to raise awareness by showing the breadth of opportunities available across merchants and suppliers and providing practical routes into the industry. The website offers careers information, employer profiles, live vacancies, apprenticeship opportunities and the opportunity for candidates to upload their CV and connect with employers.
Apprenticeships also provide an established route into the industry, combining employment with structured learning and practical experience. The BMF has made apprenticeships a central part of its efforts to attract and develop new talent, with its 15,000-apprenticeship pledge reaching its target five years ahead of schedule in 2025. For cadets looking at what comes next, the message is simple: the skills developed today can provide a foundation for a career tomorrow, and the building materials sector offers more opportunities than they might expect.
The ‘From Cadet to Career guide’ is now available at
BMCareers.com.
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.
people and businesses helping to shape the future of the sector. Awards recognised achievements across training, engagement, sustainability, marketing and digital transformation, as well as the young people building careers across the industry.
Outgoing BMF Chairman Richard Hill was also recognised with an Honorary Achievement Award for his six years of service and leadership.
The evening ended a year of determined fundraising for the BMF’s 2026 charities, The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT) and the Maddie Rose Foundation. With the £15,600 raised during the awards evening, the total reached £77,850.
The BMF also announced its 2027 charities: Variety the Children’s Charity and Band of Builders.
Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, used the evening to launch Every Merchant Matters, an initiative supported by the BMF to make wellbeing more visible, encourage conversations and signpost support for construction workers and their families.
BMF members argue for water reuse
We were pleased to support Marsh Industries and other BMF members last month at a the “Water Reuse Summit”, held at The Building Centre in central London and kindly convened by Waterwise, the respected water conservation body. The event brought together policymakers, regulators, water companies, housebuilders & property developers to consider how to accelerate the adoption of water reuse in buildings.
Steve Boyer described how Marsh Industries continues to invest in its range of water & waste-water treatment solutions.
Other topics covered included the failure of HM Government to resolve the long-standing, well-documented
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
