Tomorrow’s leaders  

by James Spillane, BMF Training & Development Manager
16 April 2018


The BMF is calling for applicants for its fourth Postgraduate Diploma in Merchant Leadership and Strategy course, which is planned to start in May 2018. This unique course, run by Birmingham City University, is aimed at experienced managers workig for a BMF merchant or supplier member company.  

Despite the course name, candidates don’t have to hold a first degree to apply. It is open to senior managers with a minimum of five years’ experience, and credit will be given for that experience. There is a formal selection process, which includes a written submission and interview, but that shouldn’t put anyone off applying. Since its introduction in 2015, over 30 people completed the course.  Many had not studied since their school days but, so far, all have achieved their qualification.  

The 12 month part-time course covers five modules and combines a programme of self-study combined with seven two-day workshops.  Studying alongside their normal day job does take commitment and organisation, but candidates have the benefit of immediately applying the knowledge they gain to benefit both their personal development and their business.  

Marc Lucock, Human Resource and Training Director at Selco, had such a positive experience he is already looking to sign up for the BMF’s Masters Degree, which all course graduates are entitled to do.  

Marc said: “Despite some initial reservations of going back into a classroom environment this course has been truly enjoyable and beneficial to how I tackle daily work challenges. The various module topics have enabled me to think differently in my role and how I manage my team. As well as improvements in these areas I also have a better understanding of theories and frameworks that help me predict and interpret current business challenges and how I should go about solving them. I’ve met with a great group of people from various merchant backgrounds and it has been well worth the effort of attending and completing the various assignments. I would encourage anyone who is sceptical of this qualification to give it a go as the content is very relevant and the lecturers are knowledgeable and have a great understanding of our industry.”    

The course is equally relevant to managers working in merchant or supplier companies. Another graduate, Samantha Hanks, National Key Account & Specification Manager for Cembrit UK, explained:  “As a supplier, the BMF Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Strategy was hugely valuable for my business as well as my own personal development. It enabled me to see the merchant business in greater depth and critically analyse my own business. The knowledge was imparted through modules dealing with Strategy & Branding, Leading Service & Change, Finance & Business Models and Operational Improvement and Innovation, culminating in an In-company project that produced a practical and tangible area of focus relating to my company. Throughout the year-long course, I gained a greater awareness and appreciation for colleagues and their roles and with the enhanced knowledge I gained I had the confidence to recommend change and improvements back in the business.  Of course, being awarded my Postgrad Diploma by Birmingham City University and graduating in the impressive Birmingham Symphony Hall was a major plus too!”  

This year’s course is again being sponsored by the Builders Merchants Training Trust who have generously agreed to subsidise the £5,500 cost for merchant candidates by 50%, resulting in a fee of only £2,750.   With the deadline for applications fast approaching, anyone interested should immediately contact me at [email protected] or call 02476 854989.

Click here for more information about the BMF's many other training courses.



This article appeared in the April 2018 edition of PBM.