Rewarding Commitment

by Richard Ellithorne, BMF Membership Services Director
29 October 2019

The BMF continually looks to improve and expand the range of courses on offer to support members in developing their teams’ skills and knowledge. Indeed, BMF training is one of the top five reasons members give for joining. The BMF Awards Dinner in September recognised two merchants who have shown exceptional commitment to this training in nurturing the talent that will take the merchant sector forward.

This year’s BMF Training Company of the Year is Howarth Timber and Building Supplies, with Dumfries Timber Company taking the Honorary Achievers Award.

Howarth Timber and Building Supplies demonstrated their support for team development with a training programme encompassing both formal and informal routes. For a company with just over 30 branches, Howarth has no fewer than 15 team members undertaking the BMF Diploma in MerchantManagement course, which equips candidates with key managerial skills that they can immediately apply back at work.

Howarth also has 22 apprentices supported by the BMF Apprenticeships Plus Levy Management Service and has purchased 100 BMF Building Blocks modules to introduce them to the intricacies of life in a builders’ merchant. The online training programme builds into a comprehensive guide both to the industry and the products stocked and sold.

In addition, Howarth encourages team members to build knowledge through informal routes, participating in BMF’s specialist Forums, including Timber, Plumbing & Heating, Bricks, Blocks & Landscaping and Marketing, and attending key events including the recent Conference in Dubrovnik and the first BMF Young Merchants Conference in 2018. 

Their rounded approach makes Howarth well-deserved winners of the 2019 BMF Training Company of the Year Award.

Honorary Achievers Award

Operating from three branches, Dumfries Timber is one of the BMF’s smaller merchant members but they have consistently punched above their weight in developing their team. They are the only BMF member in Scotland to have participated in BMF training programmes in each of the last six years. Training extends across every level of the business from Apprenticeships to the BMF Diploma – with two team members within each of these programmes.

Dumfries Timber also utilised BMF’s two and four day courses, including the Yard Foreman’s Toolkit, How a House is Built, the Margin Improvement Programme and Management Training. On a pro-rata basis they have consistently provided more BMF training per employee than any other member in their region and are extremely worthy winners of the Honorary Achievers Award.

Young Achievers

The BMF Awards Dinner also celebrates the achievements of Apprentices and those taking the next steps up their chosen career ladder.

Nathan Jones of South Coast Building Supplies, BMF Apprentice of the Year Level 2. Nathan is undertaking a Trade Supplier apprenticeship through the BMF ATA. After 6 months in the warehouse followed by 6 months on the trade counter he has shown professionalism in both areas. He has also embraced independent learning, seeking opportunities to enhance his knowledge and improve performance, including enhancements to the trade counter showroom.

Tom Savage of Wyckham Blackwell, BMF Apprentice of the Year Level 3. Tom’s apprenticeship as a Business Administrator has involved some challenging tasks but he has retained a positive attitude to his studies throughout. Described by colleagues as a pleasure to work with, he is organised, hardworking and embraces every opportunity to learn and meet targets.

Finally, Jane Axford of Tamar Trading was named Best BMF Diploma Student, while Cameron Clarke of Longwater Supply is the best BMF Building Blocks Learner.

Congratulations to all BMF Award winners.


BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships and sector-specific Diplomas and a Foundation Degree in Merchant Management, to on-line 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 first appeared in the October 2019 edition of Professional Builders Merchant (PBM)