BMF appoints digital specialist as board advisor

As the building materials industry advances towards digitalisation, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has appointed James Mitchell, managing director of Kerridge Commercial Systems as a specialist advisor to the BMF Board.

James’ appointment brings a new skill set to the BMF Board. He has 28 years’ experience of IT and software solutions, and his current company provides digital solutions to many in the building materials sector. He has a BSc (Hons) in Business and Computer Science, an Executive MBA from Cranfield University Business School and he is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Commenting on the appointment, BMF Chairman, Richard Hill said: “The BMF Board is responsible for the general control and management of the Federation, developing strategy and scrutinising performance. It is, therefore, important that its members bring a diverse range of experience and skills to the overall Board. James’ appointment reflects the increasing importance of digitalisation in our members’ business, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Board.”

On his appointment James Mitchell added: “I am delighted to be joining the BMF board as an advisor. The use of digital tools for business operations and processes is a subject I am very passionate about; the right digital tools generate efficiencies and improve services and importantly help merchants grow their business and profits sustainably. I am very much looking forward to working with the BMF board and its members to discuss, advise and provide insights on the future of digitalisation for the merchant industry.”

The BMF represents merchants and suppliers in the UK and Ireland and had a total membership on 1 January 2023 of 870 merchant and supplier companies who together have combined sales of over £42bn and employ over 230,000 people in the building materials industry. BMF’s 443 merchant members operate from over 5,600 branches across the UK and Ireland.

More at  www.bmf.org.uk

Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), is providing offsite timber frame training workshops after being awarded Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation.

As the only timber frame company to secure CPD accreditation, DTS enables current and potential clients to expand their skillset and keep up to date with industry developments. Online workshops include a range of topics, from construction and technical aspects to commercial skills and client sales. Upon completion, participants achieve a certificate which can be logged towards CPD study or used to build career progression.

Rod Allan, managing director of DTS, said: “We are proud to have achieved CPD accreditation for our offsite timber frame training, which has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback and referrals. This marks a huge step for the timber industry and construction sector. Businesses have the opportunity to share their expertise to upskill staff, improve retention, and advance professional growth. By committing to lifelong learning and development, the industry as a whole can benefit.”

DTS prides itself on being highly sustainable, innovative and efficient. With unrivalled experience and knowledge in offsite construction, DTS has an established history of bringing new commercial and operational innovations to the market. One example is the Sigma II closed panel system, offering near-Passivhaus standards of performance and sustainability. The system is being widely used with housing developers, particularly with those driven by whole life costs and fabric performance, contributing positively to fuel poverty challenges.

DTS is the UK’s market leading offsite timber systems manufacturer. For nearly 50 years, the business has been working with its partners in the UK housebuilding market, supplying them with state of the art open and closed panel timber frames. DTS was formerly known as Stewart Milne Timber Systems prior to its acquisition by the Donaldson Group in 2021.

More at  www.donaldsontimbersystems.com