Howarth Timber and Building Supplies has appointed Paul Bullivant as its new Commercial Director.

The company, which has 31 branches across the UK, has created the role in support of its plans to further strengthen its brand identity and continue its UK-wide branch growth and refurbishment programme.

Paul has over 31 years’ experience in the builders and plumbers merchant industry, and for the last eight years has held commercial and marketing director roles with Jackson Building Centres and Plumbase.

At Howarth Timber, Paul will head the category management, marketing and external sales teams and work closely with the regional management team to link the company’s central function and its merchant branches.

Howarth Timber has also appointed a new Marketing Manager, Gavin Knowles. Gavin takes over the role from long-serving Marketing and Product Development Manager, Neale Brewster, who is set to retire.He joins from XL Joinery, and brings a wealth of digital and traditional marketing experience to the role of marketing manager.

Gavin will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing activity, from social media to branding, and will be instrumental in the delivery of Howarth Timber’s annual Trade Day Bonanza, which last year attracted over 1,000 tradespeople to Leeds and achieved over £250,000 in sales.