John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation, has been honoured at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2019, winning the prestigious Leadership Award.

The BMF is one of over 300 members of TAF, which is the trade association for trade associations. Its annual awards, which are supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, showcase the achievements of TAF members during the past 12-18 months.

Presenting the Leadership Award, Linda Cavender, Chief Executive of TAF, said: “John has developed a highly capable team to serve the interests of the BMF’s rapidly growing membership.

“He has introduced a whole raft of initiatives which has broadened the organisation’s relevance and appeal, and this has added real value to the membership. John’s leadership has proven to be exactly what the BMF needed in order to rectify a financial deficit and in the process, broaden member engagement, professionalise training and promote best practice within the industry.

“John leads from the front and is highly visible in the merchant industry. His determined approach has been key to the BMF’s success and recognition of this is well-deserved.”

A delighted John Newcomb said: “It is a tremendous honour to receive this Award but I am well aware that I am just one member of a fantastic team at the BMF and this really is a reward for all of us.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the BMF has achieved to date and we will continue to deliver the services that matter most to our members, helping them to deliver excellence in their own business.”

BMF Chairman, Peter Hindle MBE, said: “Huge congratulations to John, and his team of course, for this Award.

“John’s energy and passion to get things done has led to an outstanding period of development for the BMF in support of our mission to help members to excel at providing materials and services for building a better future, and I am sure there will be many more bold initiatives to come.”

Pictured: (L-R) Christine Wall, John Newcomb, June Upton & Richard Ellithorne.