The Judges described Vick is an "inspirational leader" who inspires others.

Vick Patel, CEO of IBC Buying Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Builders’ Merchants awards 20 Year anniversary ceremony in London on 4 February, 2022.

Patel won the award in recognition of the contribution he has made to the merchant industry, as well as the success of his numerous businesses, including IBC Buying Group, and his driving passion for supporting several youth charity foundations.

Patel has worked in the merchant industry for his entire adult life. He grew up working in his family’s builders’ merchant business, Halaris Builders’ Merchants, before going on to create, with his brothers, their own builders’ merchant business, ABC Depot.

Over the years Patel has built a strong professional network of colleagues, partners and connections throughout the industry, and is a true entrepreneur who believes in the value of mentoring others while also growing his own businesses. This led Patel to create a number of businesses that support all aspects of the supply chain under the Allneeds Group.

Patel understands the value of developing long-term relationships between merchants and suppliers to benefit the entire sector. This is a cornerstone of the IBC Buying Group business model, which unites leading construction product suppliers with hundreds of independent builders’ merchants to help them achieve their full potential.

The Judges said: “Vick is an inspirational leader with substantial hands-on experience and a strong sense of direction. His personal philosophy of hard work has led to tangible business growth while inspiring and leading others.”

Commenting on his award, Patel said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen by the Judging Panel as the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by the merchant industry and I firmly believe it is one of the very best sectors of the construction industry, and one where you can make lifelong friends.

"I’m passionate about the work I do and about helping to support the next generation of young people, and so I am extremely grateful that this, and all the hard work of everyone I work with, has been recognised.”