Terry Parker is new BMF chairman

The Builders Merchants Federation has announced that Terry Parker is to be its new National Chairman.

Parker has been in the merchant and distributor industry for over 40 years. He was managing director of Tricom Supplies, the national lightside merchants from 1992 to 1997 and then group managing director of Ridgeons until he retired in 2008.

During his time at Ridgeons he led them through an expansion programme that more than doubled their size.

“I am delighted to be able to give my time and experience to helping steer and develop the BMF to serve the changing needs of the merchant trade,” he says.

“The BMF has changed almost beyond recognition in the last few years. We have a really solid platform to build upon: robust management systems overseen by a focused and enthusiastic Board; a hugely experienced team, and a dynamic and growing membership feeding their needs and hopes into the organisation. I am really looking forward to the challenge of harnessing all that energy and helping make the BMF the best trade association in the country.”

Parker will start with the BMF on September 1 and after his induction, will officially take over from outgoing Chairman Kevin Cubbage on November 1 2009. He will be at the BMF Members’ Day on September 15 hoping to meet as many members as possible.

In his four and a half years with the BMF, outgoing Chairman Kevin Cubbage has overseen and driven the change from the old BMF federal structure to a streamlined business model headed by an eight-person Board of Directors.

He was also responsible for focusing the BMF vision around the strategic ‘four pillars’ of BMF Business Support, BMF Product Support, BMF Marketing and BMF Training.

As BMF National Chairman, Terry Parker will head up a Board comprising Alan Ball (PTS), Allan Bartlett (Keith Builders Merchants,), John Cameron (John Cameron), Bryan Eccles (Elliott Brothers,), Dennis Smith (Bradfords), Andy Williamson (IKO plc,) and Chris Pateman (BMF managing director).