IOBM FOCUS
RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE IOBM
The Institute of Builders Merchants is developing its remit to promote and acknowledge experienced, qualified individuals working in the builders merchants industry.
W
ith ambitious plans for the profession, member growth is a key element of the IOBM’s strategy. The IOBM is keen
to involve the whole building materials community in supporting the development of the professional status of merchanting, with corporate membership extended to supplier members.
Through a reinvigorated IOBM we have already seen IOBM membership numbers increase since the Institute merged with the BMF in 2021. Membership has grown by over 24% in 3 years to stand at 1,192 individual members and includes 47 Corporate Supporters. Travis Perkins introduced its apprentices to IOBM, and hundreds have joined giving them the opportunity to assess how active membership will support them as they continue to develop their careers. Of the current Corporate Supporters, 30 are supplier members, 8 are merchant members, 4 service members and 5 buying group supporters.
For the Corporate Supplier Supporters, we have mapped their online training modules and webpages and linked it to the Corporate Supporter list on the IOBM webpages.
Membership
The IOBM has set up a mentoring system exclusive to its members and, currently, it has 38 mentors and 17 mentees, and 5 relationships.
A “Your Voice” e-newsletter has been produced to keep members informed and three editions have already been sent out with the fourth to follow in October 2023. Sam Norman from Azpects was elected Regional Chair for the Central region following the first IOBM meeting at the Coventry Manufacturing Technology Centre in April 2023 which attracted 28 delegates. The next IOBM Regional meeting for the London and South East Region is planned for 3rd October
14
Left: NMBS’ head of sales and marketing Dean Hayward
at SIG Slough and 16 delegates have already booked on to attend.
At the BMF’s Top 100 Merchant Influencers event in 2022 and Top 100 Supplier Influencers event earlier this year all nominees were awarded IOBM Fellow & Member grade membership respectively to reflect their contribution to the sector.
Profile boosting
The IOBM recently sponsored the BMF MasterMerchant team building event held in the Lake District in July 2023. The IOBM is also the Partner for the 2023 BMJ Awards, a key event for the recognition and celebration of excellence from across the builders’ merchant’s sector.
The IOBM will also be sponsoring one of the Apprentice of the Year Awards at the BMF Annual Conference and Awards event at the
Hilton Metropole on 21st September 2023. It is also partnering the BMJ Industry Awards 2023, which takes place later this month.
New IOBM Webpages On the BMF homepage there is now a dedicated tab for the IOBM with a drop down menu where users can view information including: About the IOBM, Benefits and Levels of Membership, Mentoring, Corporate Supporter links, Training & Development , Institute Events and News and How to Join.
BMJ
To find out more about how the IOBM is supporting the professional advancement of those working in the merchanting industry, contact Richard Ellithorne, Membership Services Director at
richard.ellithorne@bmf.org.uk, or call 02476 854980.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2023
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