Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Travis Perkins’ Director Andrew Harrison and award-winning broadcaster, Steph McGovern complete the line up for an inspiring Industry Forum that sets the tone for second day at the BMF All Industry Conference in Budapest next June.
The Industry Forum is a unique feature of the BMF All Industry Conference that encourages delegates from every sector of our industry to debate key issues. Andrew and Steph will join Glen Sabin of Polyipe and Shanker Patel of the Lords Group to lead the proceedings. They will each offer their own perspective to help set the agenda for the Q&A that follows.
Andrew Harrison, a member of Travis Perkins’ Group Executive Committee, started his merchant career back in 1980 as a management trainee with Graham Reeves in Cornwall. Following branch and area management roles, he moved Sharpe & Fisher as Operations Director helping to grow the business to 38 branches prior to its acquisition by Travis Perkins in 1999. Andrew was Managing Director at CCF, Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, and Keyline before becoming Divisional Chief Operating Officer, General Merchanting in 2013, with responsibility for Travis Perkins, Benchmarx and Toolhire. From January 2017 he will take the role of Group Commercial and Business Development Director.
Steph McGovern not only hosts the Forum and its Q&A session, she will also help set the agenda by speaking about her own career, the importance of recruiting more women to work in industry, and the significance of the construction industry to the UK economy.
McGovern has worked in financial journalism for over 13 years but her first taste of broadcasting came aged 19, when she made a guest appearance on a programme about women in science. She had just won the title of Young Engineer for Britain after saving Black & Decker money on a design she created for their Leaf Hog product. Today she travels all over the UK to cover economic and business news. She has broadcast live from over 500 businesses for BBC Breakfast, and makes it her mission to find out what’s going on in the real economy.
John Newcomb, BMF MD said: “With Andrew and Steph confirmed to speak at the Industry Forum alongside Glenn and Shanker, this session will kick-start a Super Saturday programme at the BMF All Industry Conference.”
The BMF All Industry Conference takes place in Budapest from 15 – 18 June 2017 at the five star Intercontinental Hotel. Broadcaster and TV personality, Gethin Jones, will host the event, which has already sold out. Further details are available on the Conference website, www.bmfconference2017.co.uk
