Builders’ merchant role models inspire the next generation

Three representatives from the builders’ merchant sector will be sharing their career journeys with young people over the next few weeks. The merchant sector is one of the most popular and vibrant sectors of the building products industry, and one where we place an increasing number of Candidates. The Role Model campaign as part of UK Construction Week is a really good initiative and one we really endorse at Pinnacle Consulting.

They have been shortlisted as part of the Role Models campaign, which aims to inspire young people and show them the range of jobs available in the industry.

A shortlist of 36 people in construction has been announced, with Lauren Haines, Director at Elliott Brothers, Roger Tarry, merchant at Elliott Brothers (pictured) and Magda Dexter, Customer Experience and Internal Communication Director at Jewson, representing the builders’ merchant sector.

Haines said: "I was surprised to be nominated as a Role Model as I have taken it as part of my job to help others develop their roles within the business.

"I have gained experience from role models during my 45-year career at Elliotts and I’m pleased be in a similar position now to help others.

“I think that it’s extremely important to encourage others to build a career within the builders’ merchants industry as it is very diverse with loads of opportunities – helping customers build is very rewarding. It has been a fairly tough industry in the past for women as it has been dominated by men. However, this has changed over the years and I feel that by pushing myself forward it has helped women to secure more senior positions within the building industry.”

They will take part in an outreach programme to help build connections with local schools and colleges, and share their thoughts on key industry issues as guest bloggers for the Construction Matters Blog.

Nathan Garnett, UKCW Event Director, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for people to be celebrated in an industry that often gets negative press.

“It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the work the role models are doing, not just on a day-to-day basis, but the work they’ve personally taken on to make this industry better.

“It’s about sharing their construction career journeys and inspiring the next generation by dispelling the myths surrounding the construction industry.”

The winner will be announced on 10 October at the UKCW Stage at the NEC, Birmingham, followed by a champagne reception and a meet and greet with keynote speaker Barbara Res, who oversaw the construction of Trump Tower.

New to UKCW this year is the first Builders Merchants Federation’s Young Merchants’ Conference. A range of guest speakers will attend, including two-time Olympic silver medallist Steve Backley OBE and TV presenter and architect George Clarke.