Professional Recognition for BMF Campus Building Blocks Programme

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and learning technology partner Cortexa are delighted to announce a significant milestone for BMF Campus, with the majority of the flagship Building Block training programme now achieving Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation.

 
Ten Building Block courses currently available through BMF Campus have successfully passed the rigorous assessment process required for CPD accreditation, providing learners and employers with additional assurance of the quality, relevance and professional value of the training.

 
The accredited courses are:

 - Introduction to Residential Construction
 - Heating & Hot Water Comfort
 - Building Insulation
 - Working Safely & Securely
 - Timber as a Building Material
 - Introduction to Bathrooms
 - Landscaping
 - An Introduction to Drylining
 - Domestic Showering
 - Above Ground Drainage
 

This achievement represents a major step forward in the ongoing development of the BMF's digital learning offer and reinforces its commitment to providing high-quality, professionally recognised training for the building materials sector.

 
For merchants, CPD accreditation provides confidence that the training they undertake has been independently assessed against recognised standards, ensuring it delivers meaningful and measurable learning outcomes.

 
For suppliers, accreditation adds further credibility and value to the educational content they support, helping position their product and technical knowledge as part of a recognised professional development programme that contributes to workforce skills and competence.

 
The Building Blocks programme has become a cornerstone of learning within BMF Campus, providing accessible, industry-relevant training that helps merchants build knowledge, improve customer confidence and support career development across a wide range of product categories and construction topics.

 
Commenting on the achievement, the BMF’s Apprenticeships and Learning & Development Manager, Marianna Peet said:


"Achieving CPD accreditation for the majority of our Building Block courses is a fantastic accomplishment and demonstrates our commitment to delivering training that is both relevant and professionally recognised. It provides additional value for learners, employers and suppliers alike, while further strengthening the role of BMF Campus as the industry's leading online learning platform."

 
The accreditation programme does not stop here. Work is already underway to secure CPD accreditation for the remaining two Building Block courses, with plans also in place to pursue accreditation for the BMF Diploma programme during the coming year.

 
As BMF Campus continues to expand, this latest achievement marks another important step in providing the merchanting sector with accessible, trusted and recognised learning opportunities that support both individual development and wider industry professionalism.

Trade body downgrades economic forecast for 2026

National trade body the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has downgraded its 2026 baseline forecast from +2.3% to -1.8% citing geopolitical uncertainty, subdued consumer confidence and softer economic conditions as reasons for the change.

The BMF’s Industry Forecast Summer 2026 sets out a range of factors that contributed to the ‘more cautious outlook,’ for the construction supply chain.

Current pressures include falling demand for the supply of building materials, with ongoing economic uncertainty and predicted rising inflation set to further impact spending on housebuilding and home improvements.

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Weaker workloads, delayed project starts and ongoing concerns about future demand have created a challenging trading environment for the building materials sector.

“Persistent concerns about household finances, inflationary pressures and the wider economic outlook continue to constrain housing market activity and home improvement spending.

“Markets such as London, with greater exposure to housing and commercial development, have generally faced the most difficult conditions, while others have demonstrated greater resilience through a stronger mix of infrastructure, maintenance and repair activity.”

The BMF provides its members with a quarterly forecast as well as producing the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) which evaluates building materials sales on a monthly basis and is considered to be a key bellwether for the national economic picture.

The BMF represents 1,020 member businesses with combined sales of £52 billion pounds and employing almost 209,000 staff.

John Newcomb added: “Construction remains one of the most vulnerable areas of the economy, with elevated levels of business distress and insolvencies highlighting the challenges facing many firms.

“Recent activity indicators point to an industry that continues to struggle to gain momentum, with sluggish demand across several key product categories, particularly those linked to new housing activity where the rising cost of materials is outpacing UK inflation.

“Trading conditions are expected to be difficult in the short term, but optimism for a gradual recovery remains, with potential growth of +1.7% anticipated for 2027.”

2027 BMF All industry Conference set to shine in Marrakesh

Next year’s BMF All Industry Conference will be held in North Africa for the first time, in the vibrant and historic city of Marrakech.

The Conference, which takes place from 10 – 13 June 2027, will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Gethin Jones and held at Savoy Le Grand, a five-star luxury hotel offering excellent delegate accommodation and stunning views over the High Atlas Mountains.

Marrakech provides a perfect backdrop for the conference theme, Connecting Ideas, Creating Tomorrow. Known as the Red City for its distinctive sandstone buildings and beaten-clay ramparts, Marrakech is famed for its historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with bustling souks, spice markets, and the busiest public square in Africa, where storytellers, snake charmers, and street food vendors abound. In complete contrast, lush green gardens dating back to the city’s imperial era provide welcome oases of calm.

Conference host Gethin Jones, who can currently be seen presenting BBC One’s Morning Live and guest-presenting The One Show, knows the BMF well, having previously hosted two of their most successful conferences: Budapest 2017 and Dubrovnik 2019.

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: 

“Marrakech is a fantastic conference destination, offering a striking contrast between ancient and modern, which not only makes it a sought-after location for Hollywood movies but also provides the credentials to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030.”

“Our conference hotel offers direct access to the upscale Menara shopping mall and is within walking distance of both the historic medina and the tranquil Menara Gardens. Delegates will have ample time to explore the cultural heritage and natural beauty that make Marrakech one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

“Delivering a sustainable event is important to us. Wherever possible, the conference’s environmental impact will be minimised by using local suppliers and recyclable materials, and by reducing single-use items. Our conference hotel shares our commitment to the environment.”

Those wishing to attend are advised to register as soon as possible.  Merchants should either contact their BMF Regional Manager or contact Stacey Lock, Events Manager via email at [email protected] or alternatively contact BMF Supplier Engagement DIrector, Oz Bham at [email protected]

The BMF thanks headline sponsor, Marshalls, and key sponsors ACO Technologies, BMN, ForgeFix, GenetiQ, Keystone Group, Klipboard, Knauf, Knauf Insulation, Marsh Industries, Polypipe Building Products, Siniat and Velux. For full information on the Conference, please visit www.bmfconference2027.co.uk

ENDS

Polypipe marks Data Yard’s supplier century

Polypipe Building Products has become the 100th supplier to join Data Yard, marking another key milestone for the industry-owned data pool established by BMF and NMBS to streamline the sharing of product information between suppliers and merchants.


Designed for use across the building materials supply chain, Data Yard provides a centralised, secure platform with protocols to safeguard the quality, consistency, and depth of product data, ensuring it aligns with market needs and increasingly stringent government requirements.


For Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of plastic piping systems and low-carbon heating solutions for the residential market, with over 4,000 product lines, Data Yard offers far more than a straightforward data management solution.


Amy Smith, Sales Director at Polypipe, explained:


“Managing data for over 4,000 product lines requires a platform built for the future of construction. By partnering with Data Yard, we are reinforcing our commitment to absolute transparency.


“As legislation such as the Building Safety Act demands a rigorous, immutable ‘Golden Thread’ of information, Data Yard gives our business a single source of truth. Furthermore, as signatories of CCPI, Data Yard will enable us to achieve the gold standard of data integrity and guarantees that our merchants, developers, specifiers and installers have instant access to accurate, up-to-date product data, specifications and certification.


“Data Yard isn't just about managing data; it's about building trust, ensuring safety, and simplifying our supply chain from our Doncaster manufacturing sites to our end-user customers.”


Gareth Thomas, Managing Director of Data Yard, said:


“We are delighted that our 100th confirmed supplier sits within the Plumbing & Heating category. Polypipe’s commitment to Data Yard underlines the platform’s potential across the building materials industry, benefiting all product categories, from heavyside to lightside.”


Data Yard delivers a range of benefits, including:

· Centralised product data management for improved accuracy, consistency and accessibility

· Enhanced supply chain efficiency through seamless data exchange

· Increased regulatory compliance and transparency


Suppliers and Merchants who would like to join Data Yard and streamline the sharing of product information should email [email protected]