Property expert, writer and broadcaster, Kunle Barker is to speak at the first ever conference hosted by The Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM).

Barker joins Lt Col (Retd) Stewart Hill and David Kilburnat,founder of MKM Building Supplies, on the roster of keynote speaker at the event. 

The conference, which takes place on Wednesday 5 October at the NEC Birmingham, coincides with UK Construction Week, and tickets include entry to the event, as well as Grand Designs Live and a free beer festival from 5pm.

Having co-presented alongside TV greats, including Alan Titchmarsh, Sarah Beeny and Kevin McCloud, Barker is a regular host and speaker at Grand Designs and UK Construction Week.

To date, he has delivered more than a thousand residential refurbishments, education and sport centre refits, and countless high-end renovations, with award-wins including 2018 Property Expert of the Year, and Design and Build Company of the Year.

As one of the country’s leading construction and housing experts, Barker has consulted with the government to discuss the country’s construction challenges.

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “We are delighted to welcome Kunle Barker to the inaugural IoBM Conference.

“The event is part of a new look and direction for the IoBM, which aims to become a Chartered Institute and has set out a pathway to professionalism in the merchanting industry through accreditation and CPD.”

The IoBM merged with the Builders Merchants Federation last year and operates as a separate brand of the BMF with its own management body.