WEST MIDLANDS: The Institute of Builders' Merchants held its 41st annual general meeting at St John's Hotel, Solihull last month. The event was also an occasion to invest its first lady president Rebecca Mason of Ridgeons Timber & Builders' Merchants. It also elected three new governors...

Dawn Wilkinson; Phil White from Parker Building Supplies and Steve Sellick, Ridgeons' training manager. They join Chris Pateman, managing director of the Builders' Merchants Federation and vice president Andrew Pine from MKM.

Newly co-opted to the Institute are Jeremy Daniel, a director from John A Stephens; Mark Faulkner of EH Smith and Brent Ganley from Thompson Building Supplies.

During his report, president Roger Crees said: "There are some very positive signs for the Institute. Rebecca Mason and Andrew Pine have brought new life to the board with lots of drive and new ideas. The election of the new governors, who have much experience of our industry, can only help to enhance our position."

Of the year, Mr Crees confirmed a number of activities undertaken by the Institute that has helped to engage its members. Among these were:

Presentation of the Institute's Mason-Elliot Trophy to Glenn Paddison of MKM Builders' Merchants for being the highest achiever at NVQ Level 3.

The redesign and updating of the Institute's website

The offer of two years' subscription for the price of one to new applicants at student, associate and member grades.

"Our key objective must be to encourage new and developing merchants to see the benefit of the Institute network for their career development, if we are to secure the Institute's long-term future," said Mrs Mason.

 

"As a board of governors, we have a number of ideas including raising our profile with more coverage on industry websites and newsletters; continuing to work in partnership with the BMF - not only to promote and accredit training and development - but also to ensure the link between their qualifications and our membership structure. We also want to encourage continuous professional development with networking events such as a 'Practical Building Skills Experience Day'.

During the AGM, both Janet Saunders and Roger Crees were awarded Honorary Life Fellow membership for their long and dedicated service to the Institute.

Mrs Saunders as administrator and treasurer and Mr Crees as president, chairman of membership committee and the Midlands Branch. Anyone interested in taking up the vacancy for treasurer should contact new administrator, Gill Sellick by email at admin@instbm.co.uk or Rebecca Mason at rmason@ridgeons.net

The AGM was followed by a presentation on The Code For Sustainable Homes and Modern Methods of Construction by Dave Jordan, business development manager of Ridgeons.

The AGM was sponsored by the Symphony Group; Hanson; Ideal Standard UK; the Grafton Group (UK) and the BMF.