David Hopkinson Represents GCS Associates at BMF North West Regional Meeting

David Hopkinson, Client Services Director at GCS Associates, attended the BMF North West Regional Meeting at Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Community Stadium, joining key industry professionals to discuss the latest developments in the building materials sector.

Organised by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), the event provided a valuable platform for merchants, suppliers, and professionals to gain insights into economic forecasts, policy updates, and innovations shaping the sector.

Key Takeaways from the Event

The meeting opened with a welcome from Adrian Shelley, BMF Regional Chair, followed by updates from Chris Heeks, BMF Regional Manager for the North, and Brett Amphlett, BMF’s Policy & Public Affairs Manager, who provided insights into key policy developments affecting the industry.

A highlight of the event was the Bank of England forecast update, delivered by Alison Stuart, offering an economic outlook and its implications for the construction and building materials market.

The State of Trade discussion allowed attendees to share market insights, discussing current challenges, opportunities, and future trends. The agenda also included:

• Optimising payment collections for building materials, led by Chris Smith of Ontik Technologies.
• The role of AI in merchanting, presented by Marcin Lisowski of bubo.ai.
• UK brick market evolution, with insights from Mark Morris, Commercial Director at Breedon Products.

The meeting concluded with a BMF Training Update, followed by a networking lunch, allowing attendees to connect and collaborate on industry challenges.

Reflecting on the event, David Hopkinson said:

“Attending the BMF North West Regional Meeting has been an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry peers and discuss the key trends shaping our sector. These meetings are essential for sharing knowledge, staying ahead of market changes, and ensuring businesses in our region are well-positioned for growth.”

Supporting the BMF’s “Materially Different” Campaign

As a long-time supporter of BMF initiatives, GCS Associates is highly involved in the “Materially Different” campaign, which aims to promote careers in the building materials industry and strengthen employer branding across the sector.

This integrated programme is designed to:

✅ Put building materials on the map as a trusted, credible career choice.
✅ Use “Materially Different” branding to differentiate roles in this sector from other industries.
✅ Build pride within the industry to attract, retain, and develop top talent.
✅ Provide a wraparound programme to professionalise HR infrastructure and enhance employer branding.

Managing Director Michael Parry has played a key role in supporting this initiative, working closely with the BMF to showcase career opportunities and develop recruitment strategies that benefit merchants and suppliers alike.

David Hopkinson reinforced GCS Associates’ commitment to the campaign:

“It’s fantastic to support the BMF’s ‘Materially Different’ campaign, which is doing an incredible job in raising awareness about careers in our sector. Building materials is a dynamic, rewarding industry with huge opportunities for progression, and it’s important we continue to attract the best talent. GCS Associates is committed to working alongside the BMF to strengthen employer brands and support businesses in finding and retaining the right people.”

For more information or to discuss how GCS Associates can support your business, contact David Hopkinson at david.hopkinson@gcsassociates.com.