INDUSTRY VOICE


BMF urges school leavers to consider a career in our sector


As thousands of young people across the UK receive their exam results, the building materials sector is making a pitch for the next generation of talent. The BMF has launched a new careers guide aimed at school leavers, highlighting the opportunities across an industry that is often overlooked by young people considering their future.


Building materials businesses play a vital role in delivering the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure the UK depends on. The career opportunities extend far beyond


traditional construction roles, with jobs in sales, logistics, marketing, sustainability, finance, HR and digital technology. Apprenticeships are a key route into the sector, combining paid work with practical experience and continued learning. For


Kasey Barnes, marketing manager at plumbing and heating distributor E.Tupling, an apprenticeship provided a rapid route into a career. Just three and a half years after starting as an apprentice,


BMF Members’ Day 2026 sees record number of registrations


2026’s instalment of BMF Members’ Day is set to be the biggest yet, with 387 delegate places already reserved, including a record number of merchant bookings. The strong response


highlights the continued value members place on coming together to share ideas, hear from industry leaders and look ahead to the issues shaping the building materials sector. This year’s event will bring together members from across the building materials sector at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Sutton Coldfield on 16-17 September, with a programme reflective of the breadth of issues facing the industry. A particular focus will be the role of women in the sector, with four senior female leaders taking part in a panel on Women Leading in Building Materials. Jen Cassidy, CEO of Bristan Group and chair of the Construction Inclusion Coalition, will join Emma


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Champion, group marketing manager at Independent Builders Merchant Group; Helene Bradley, communications director at STARK Building Materials UK; and Alice Maughan, owner and creative director of Stronghold Homes. Together, the panel will examine the practical steps businesses can take to recruit, retain and develop female talent and support the next generation of leaders.


The conference will be followed by an evening celebrating individual and organisational achievement across the sector. Shortlists have been announced for the BMF’s Young Merchant Achiever, Young Supplier & Service Achiever and Marketing Excellence Awards, recognising individuals whose commitment, innovation and achievements are making a difference to their businesses and the wider industry.


Digital transformation will


also take centre stage, with the inaugural Data Yard Data Excellence Award, recognising suppliers leading the way in improving product information. Six businesses have been shortlisted, reflecting the growing importance of accurate, structured data as a strategic asset across the supply chain.


For BMF members, Members’ Day offers more than a conference, it is a chance to connect with colleagues, recognise success and engage with the issues that will shape the industry’s future. With registrations already at a record level, this year’s event is shaping up to be a particularly important gathering for the sector.


• If you’re a BMF member and have yet to register, you can secure your place at: https://tinyurl.com/yvtmvpmc


she has progressed to marketing manager and is now studying for a Level 4 Marketing Apprenticeship. “The opportunities in this industry are endless,” she said. “There are so many different careers here,


and if you want somewhere you can grow, challenge yourself and build a future, this could be the place for you.”


The BMF’s commitment to apprenticeships is reflected in its


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.


Apprenticeship Pledge, launched in 2023. Its target of 15,000 apprenticeships by 2030 was reached five years early, in 2025. The new BMCareers guide aims to help young people explore what the sector can offer, with information on apprenticeships, work experience, open days and career pathways. The BMCareers website also features live vacancies and employer profiles. Marianna Peet MIBM, BMF learning & development and apprenticeship manager, said the message to school leavers is simple: “Explore the sector. Find out what’s available. Talk to employers. Look at apprenticeships. You might discover a career you didn’t even know existed.”


The New School Leavers’ Guide is available at BMCareers.com.


Rebecca Soma joins the BMF as Financial Assistant


Rebecca Soma has joined the BMF in a new position as financial assistant, starting on September 14.


With over 10 years’ experience in the accountancy and payroll sector and a 2:1 degree in Management and Professional Accounting, she joins the BMF from her own accounting practice as a MAAT licensed accountant.


Over the years Rebecca has accumulated knowledge of various aspects of finance, including taxation, VAT, payroll, credit control and auditing. She is looking forward to working collaboratively again and bringing her finance skills and experience within accountancy practices to our team. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, and supporting her local community, often assisting with the organisation of events. We are excited to have Rebecca onboard here at the BMF and look forward to supporting her development towards her long-term ambition of becoming a chartered accountant.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2026


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