After six years as Chairman of the Builders Merchants Federation, Peter Hindle MBE will stand down on the 31 March 2020. He will be succeeded by Richard Hill.

Hindle has been instrumental in the strategic development of the trade association. The Federation has seen tremendous growth in membership, with numbers almost doubling during his tenure, and the financial health of the Federation assured. In particular he championed training and development, the provision of accurate market and forecast data, BMF Regional Centres of Excellence to promote networking and collaboration at a local level, and increasing the BMF’s political representation in tandem with its growing member voice.

Hindle said: “It was an honour to be appointed in 2014 and I enjoyed great support from the membership, for which I am very grateful.  While there have been challenges, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with John Newcomb, the BMF team, my fellow Board Directors and, of course, the members, who I will miss.  

“After a lifetime’s association with the builders’ merchant industry this will probably be my last standing down announcement and is made with a touch of sadness. But I feel confident that I leave the BMF in a strong position both financially and organisationally and I wish them every success as I pass on the mantle of Chairmanship to Richard Hill.”

Speaking on behalf of the BMF Board, Tim Rowbottom said: “Peter has done an excellent job in guiding the BMF through a period of significant change and transformation, helping to create an award-winning trade body able to support and represent the entire building materials supply chain. The Board would like to express our sincere thanks to Peter and wish him every health and happiness.

“The Board is delighted to confirm Richard Hill’s appointment as Chair from 1 April 2020. Richard has the breadth of experience and gravitas within the building materials industry to build on Peter’s achievements and ensure the BMF’s continued influence across the supply chain.”

Hill has been an active participant in the building materials supply industry for nearly three decades. Throughout this time, he has been an enthusiastic supporter of the BMF, speaking at numerous meetings and conferences and sponsoring activities. He is a member of the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants, currently serving on the Court and will become Master in 2022.

Much of his career has been with ACO. He is now Vice-Chairman of ACO Technologies and a Senior Manager of the global ACO Group, based in northern Germany. Prior to this he was the Managing Director of ACO’s UK and Ireland business for 22 years. Earlier in his career he qualified as an accountant. 

Hill is also President of the Plastic Pipes Group of the British Plastics Federation and Non-Executive Chair of the Built Environment Trust. The Trust, via its subsidiary, runs the Building Centre in Store Street, London, where he is a Non-Executive Director. He has also been a Trustee of CRASH and a member of the CBI East of England Regional Council for the maximum two terms of office.

Commenting on his appointment, Hill said: “I am genuinely honoured to have been chosen to Chair the BMF and I am looking forward to having an opportunity to give something back to an industry that has supported me throughout my career. I am happy and humbled that the BMF Board has placed their trust in me and I will ensure that I listen carefully to fully understand and represent the views and needs of the entire membership. 

“I am fortunate to pick up the reins from Peter. He and John have done an excellent job together and the BMF has made giant strides under their leadership. My goal is to build on their work and help the BMF to meet current and future challenges, where they retain their position of influence in a rapidly changing business environment, and continue to support the full spectrum of members.”