Issue: April 2012
News • Business • Products • Training • Publications • Diary
THIS MONTH’S PUBLICATIONS
BMF SUBS DOWN FOR 2012
This month sees the introduction of the new reduced subscription rates for 2012/2013. Some merchant members will have received their invoices showing significant reductions on last year’s rates. Reducing subscriptions is one of the major parts of the new BMF strategy and it is hoped this will encourage more merchants to join the BMF. We are pleased to say that at the time of writing this report application forms are being completed by a number of merchants returning to membership. This is very encouraging and it is hoped it will continue. Increased membership will allow us to look and see whether a further reduction will be possible for 2013/2014. This can only be good news for merchants. Meanwhile, the headquarters in Soho Square, London, have now been sold and a no-cost oneyear lease agreed with the new owners giving us time to complete our move to the Midlands. The search continues for new suitable premises and we have enlisted the help of agents to help in our search. It’s important that we choose the right premises, in the right place, with the right road and travel networks. The second round of interviews has now been completed and it is hoped to make an announcement shortly on the long awaited news of our new MD. The BMF team is concentrating on ensuring its ‘business as usual’ whilst the changes take place and minimising any disruption to members. We will be attending the NMBS show in Telford next month where we look forward to talking to as many of our members as possible. Contact chairman Terry Parker if you wish to discuss any of the changes at t.lj.parker@btinternet.com
Latest BMF Training Courses – Licence protection for transport managers – Sales training for sales representatives – Kitchen Design Course BMF Retail Terms & Conditions literature BMF window logo sticker
2012 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY June 21-24 Conference, Hotel Don Carlos, Marbella
July 11-12 Unimer Day, Newport 13-15 BMF MasterMerchant Competition
September 13
BMF Yorkshire Region Meeting, Venue tbc 20 BMF Scottish Region Meeting, Venue tbc 25-26 Timber Expo, Coventry
October 8 9
BMF Members’ Day Dinner BMF Members’ Day, Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel, Meriden
IT’S A FOND FAREWELL With the impending move to the Midlands sadly it means we will be losing a number of loyal, long serving members of the BMF team. This month we say goodbye to Leigh Folan, Bhavesh Patel and Carole Green, who are the first to leave. Between them they have over 37 years experience working for the BMF.
Events/Exhibitions
Carole, BMF Product Manager (pictured), has been with the BMF for 22 years. For a number of years Carole was secretary to the BMF Commodity Committees and during the later years she has been at the forefront of many battles in England, Scotland and Wales, with government departments, industry committees and trade bodies ensuring that the merchant’s point of view is always heard. She has been responsible for organising meetings, conferences, and events for six BMF regions, and coordinating the production and writing of the library of BMF Product Selling Guides.
Further details of industry events are available on our website on the events page at www.bmf.org.uk
Leigh and Bhavesh have both worked in our accounts department for the last 15 years and been responsible for the smooth running of all our accounting systems as well as ensuring excellent credit control. Our finance operations are being outsourced under the new organisation. We wish Carole, Leigh and Bhavesh every good luck for the future. Our thanks and appreciation for all their hard work over the years goes without saying.
May 9-10 Greenbuild, Manchester Central 16-17 NMBS Exhibition, Telford
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