Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is sponsoring a £1,000 prize for the winner of a Dragon’s Den style competition to accelerate the construction sector’s drive to net zero. 
Launched today by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, the competition is targeted at young professionals in the industry to provide support to accelerate practical ideas which are almost ready for implementation on sites or in factories, and which may be suitable for wider industry adoption.
In addition to the cash prize, the winning candidate will receive support from a CLC member to develop and implement their proposal into the sector and a 12-month mentoring arrangement with a CLC Business Leader.
The Dragon’s Den judging panel, chaired by Andrew Griffith MP, the UK’s net Zero Business Champion and comprising both industry and climate experts, will hear presentations from short-listed candidates mid-October, with the winner announced prior to COP26.
John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive, and a member of the seven-person judging panel, said “The drive to zero carbon will be the single biggest challenge for the next decade and its success will be a defining factor for those who are now in the early stages of their construction career. The BMF is pleased to support this exciting competition, and we look forward to seeing innovative and practical proposals coming forward from young professionals.”
For more information about the competition and to submit your proposal, visit the CLC website. Entries must be received by midnight on 28 September 2021.
