The Builders Merchants Federation has a new venue and a new format for its Members’ Day event on 17 and 18 September.

The venue – Whittlebury Hall in Northamptonshire – is next to Silverstone, the home of British F1 racing, which inspired both the theme for the event (‘Driving for Success’) and Penny Mallory as keynote speaker. The first woman to drive a World Rally car, Ms Mallory is not only a UK champion rally driver, but also a precision stunt driver and presenter of many motoring and lifestyle TV programmes.

BMF Members’ Day combines informal networking opportunities with thought-provoking guest speakers, informative business sessions and the BMF’s annual general meeting.

The guest speakers at Wednesday’s business conference include Dr Diana Montgomery, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, Stephen Gifford, director of economics at the CBI, and Chris Carr, joint managing director of Carr & Carr (Builders) and chairman of the Federation of Master Builders’ Home Builders Group.

Delegates will have the choice of two out of five workshops that take forward several of the key issues that emerged at the All Industry Conference earlier this year, including BMF’s Fit for the Future wellness programme, merchant/housebuilder relationships and embracing social media, plus more on the BMF Trade Credit Finance Initiative and members’ views on the BMF’s representations to government.

John Newcomb, BMF’s managing director, said: “We had a great response from members who attended the All Industry Conference, and we want to keep that momentum going with a fantastic BMF Members’ Day Event. We are giving more exposure to three of the key themes from this year’s All Industry Conference as well as introducing new speakers and topics to inspire further debate on issues that are affecting the builders’ merchant industry right now.

“But of equal importance at Members’ Day are the networking opportunities it brings, and this year we have put greater emphasis on Tuesday’s social programme and the Awards Dinner, which will recognise the achievements of young people who are developing their careers in the industry.”

The social programme, on Tuesday 17 September, features the BMF Golf Classic competition, sponsored by Monument Tools, as well as unique BMF Silverstone experience which will give attendees a behind-the-scenes tour of the circuit and an opportunity to test their driving skills on an F1 simulator.

The new-format BMF Awards Dinner will recognise outstanding students among BMF Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices, sponsored by Aggregate Industries and the Institute of Builders Merchants, and the BMF Diploma in Merchanting.

For more information and to book your place at the BMF Members’ Day Event, please contact:  chris.harding@bmf.org.uk or june.upton@bmf.org.uk.