Coventry trade body joins Construction Leadership Council

A Coventry-based trade association, which represents a multi-billion pound industry in the UK, has been appointed to a key role to help the construction sector navigate a bold future.

Following a review of its structure and operating model, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has been confirmed as a full member of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

As part of that process, the BMF’s CEO, John Newcomb, will sit on the CLC Task Force, with a brief to both represent the industry effectively and take forward an ambitious programme of work with the aim of building a better, stronger and more sustainable industry for Britain in the future.

John Newcomb said: “The CLC Task Force has proved its effectiveness in supporting the industry during the Covid-19 crisis, where we were invited at the start of the pandemic to support its work.

“The BMF’s contribution since then has now earned it a permanent seat at the ‘top table’ of the construction industry.

“We look forward to continuing to represent our sector, the building materials industry, as we tackle the opportunities ahead.”

Tasked with leading transformation across the construction industry, the CLC comprises of industry representatives and government departments and is co-chaired by Nadhim Zahawi, Minister for Business and Industry at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Andy Mitchell CBE, CEO of Tideway.

Andy Mitchell said: “The structure of the CLC has changed significantly since March.  The need for an effective and co-ordinated industry response to the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that it has become both larger and more focused on delivery.

“The CLC Task Force that was created in March 2020 has achieved an enormous amount on behalf of the industry and enabled us to work more closely with government.

“We now believe it is important to develop this further, and thank the BMF, and John, for agreeing to help us in this work.”