The fourth and final batch of 25 people seen as the future of the builders’ merchant sector has been unveiled.

Builders Merchants News and the Builders Merchants Federation have joined forces to find the Top 100 Young Achievers and celebrate the outstanding performances of the younger generation across the builders’ merchant sector, so that those who are the future of the industry should receive the recognition they deserve.

  • Sophia Ashman - Civils Store UK
  • Nick Brackenbury - NearSt
  • Alex Burgess - Manthorpe Building Products
  • Ryan Ferguson - Knauf Insulation
  • Becky Fry - Polypipe Building Products
  • Gareth Griffin - Bradfords
  • Aaron Hughes - Methven UK
  • Marko Jokic  - Civils Store UK
  • Shafiq Member - QS Supplies/ Buildyard
  • Demi Munn - Advent Tools Ltd/ Komelon UK Ltd
  • Louise Parkes - Collier & Catchpole Ltd
  • Carly Partington - Marshalls
  • Jonathan Pulman - Knauf Insulation
  • Ruth Rose - Bradfords
  • Joe Rylance - W Howard
  • Matt Slee - SIG Plc
  • Dale Spiers - Joseph Parr (Alco) - Timber & Builders’ Merchants Bradford
  • Michael Taylor - North East Timber Supplies
  • Katie Thomas - Owlett-Jaton
  • Jonathan Watts - Owlett-Jaton
  • Lewis White - Longwater Construction Supplies
  • Sam White - Bradfords
  • Kassie Williams - Robert Price Builders’ Merchant
  • James  Wood - Inver Bathroom Designs
  • Chris Yeates - Kingspan Klargester

John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive Officer, said: “With so many excellent nominations received, the future of the building materials industry appears in good hands. It’s pleasing to find evidence of growing gender diversity in this younger cohort of achievers at a time when we are striving for increased equity, diversity and inclusion across the sector.”

Lucyanne Matthews, BMN’s Associate Publisher, added: “As we reveal the final 25 Top 100 Young Achievers, it is with great pride that the BMN team can put these last names into print. Revealing the names of so many young achievers, whether they be merchants, suppliers or companies who support the building materials, sector is a joy.

“It has been evident in all the entries that there is a passion burning through the next generation of young people. I feel that this industry will be carried forward at an even faster pace in their hands.

“It will become an even more inclusive and positive place for young people to thrive in, an industry that young people will want to work in. With their tenacious spirit in the driving seat, the old guard know their much loved industry will be in safe in hands.”

As well as being able to nominate themselves, any member of their team could put forward the young achiever whom they believed was most deserving of a place on the Top 100 list.

Nominees had to be 40 or under on 16 May 2024 and from across the building materials industry – be it a merchant, supplier, service supplier or buying group.

To qualify the following questions had to be answered: 

  • Why are you/is the nominee such a good candidate for this award?
  • What are your/their top achievements?
  • What positive impact did the results have on the business?
  • What other significant achievement have you/they completed throughout their career?

The Top 100 will all receive a prestigious trophy at the gala black tie event at The Belfry, in Sutton Coldfield, on 16 May 2024.