Training merchants to succeed  

11 December 2018

BMF trainingThe quality and variety of training and development courses offered is one of the prime reasons cited for joining the BMF. Many merchants use BMF courses to develop their teams from apprentices to senior managers. We like to think that they are all winners as they are building excellence within their own business, but the BMF’s annual Awards Dinner in September provides an ideal opportunity to recognise merchants who have gone the extra mile in their commitment to supporting their teams through BMF training.  

This year MGM Timber was named BMF Training Company of the Year, with Chandler Building Supplies Highly Commended as a close runner up.  

MGM, the largest independent timber merchant in Scotland, joined the BMF at the beginning of 2017 shortly after announcing ambitious expansion plans. They lost no time in in choosing the BMF as their training provider as they wanted merchant focussed training that would be of practical benefit for their growing business.  In little over a year they have made giant strides.  

They are committed to training new recruits and younger staff with 11 current employees in training through BMF Apprenticeships Plus Apprenticeship training Agency (ATA) to SVQ levels. Developing managers and potential managers is another priority.They now have a total of 10 team members studying for the BMF Diploma in Merchanting. In the last year they have also undertaken 10 days of in-house training to upskill 60 members of staff in key areas of the business using our Essential Sales, Managing for Success and Yard Foreman’s Toolkit courses.  

MGM Timber are now training at all levels within their organisation and the breadth and depth of that training helped them to claim the 2018 BMF Training Company of the Year Award.  

Sussex-based Chandler Building Supplies was Highly Commended by the judges for a well-crafted training programme, again aligned to specific staff graded levels throughout their business.   

They have worked closely with BMF regional manager, Alex Clifford, and BMF tutors to develop a number of in-house programmes. These include an innovative two year roll-on training plan for new starters which combines 12 set courses to form a rounded development programme.  

Young achievers  

The BMF Awards Dinner also celebrates the achievements of young people who have recently entered the industry or are taking the next steps up their chosen career ladder.  

Joe Etherington of Bridport Building Supplies, BMF Apprentice of the Year Level 2. Joe, who is undertaking a Trade Business Services apprenticeship through the BMF ATA is excelling in all aspects and has impressed customers, colleagues and his training provider alike with his diligence and attention to detail.  
Thomas Smith of Manningham Concrete in Bradford, BMF Apprentice of the Year Level 3. Thomas is undertaking a Digital Marketing apprenticeship, again through the BMF ATA which provides a gateway to a diverse range of training opportunities.  Thomas is recognised as a hardworking, goal-oriented team player by his colleagues who have been impressed by his progress and the goals he has achieved to date.  
Philip Long of John A Stephens in Nottingham, top performing student on the BMF Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership & Strategy. Philip was awarded a Distinction in this course and achieved the highest mark.  
Steve Shorey of Alsford Timber, top performer on the BMF Masters Degree in Leadership & StrategySteve amply demonstrates the power of personal development.  Having completed the BMF Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership & Strategy in 2017 he then went on to study and achieve his Masters Degree in July 2018.  

Congratulations to all our Award winners.    


BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships and sector-specific Diplomas, Degrees and a Masters Degrees in Merchant Leadership and Strategy, to online product knowledge and other specialist skills training. To find out more about any aspect of BMF training, contact [email protected] or on 02456 854980, or click here



This article appeared in the November 2018 edition of Professional Builders’ Merchant (PBM)