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Cover Story
Changes at the top
IN the Spring issue of One Voice, we featured news of an impending leadership transition within the BMF, with the current Chairman Richard Hill to retire in the Autumn, and the current BMF CEO John Newcomb to move to the role of Executive Chairman and a new CEO to be appointed.
These changes have now been finalised with the appointment of Tom Reynolds as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective 9 November 2026. This announcement means that Richard Hill will retire at the end of October 2026, when John Newcomb will step into his new role.
The leadership transition, which has been carefully planned to coincide with Richard Hill’ s retirement, aims to ensure stability, continuity, and ongoing success, providing senior expertise and resources to advance the sector-focused trade association.
Richard Hill
Richard began his term as BMF Chairman in 2020, and since then, the BMF has expanded significantly in size and scope. Under the leadership of Chairman Richard Hill and CEO John Newcomb, the organisation has achieved greater recognition and influence with government, strengthened support for members, and led key initiatives in people and skills, sustainability and digital transformation. During this period, membership has also grown by 44 %, reaching 1,020 merchant, supplier, and service companies across the UK and Ireland.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Richard Hill said:
“ It has been a privilege to chair the BMF during a period when it has grown considerably as a trade organisation, both in terms of our membership and the breadth of services we provide, alongside our growing external recognition and influence.
“ I am proud to have played my part in the journey working alongside John and the Board. Together we have overseen the merger of the Institute of Builders Merchants( IoBM) into the BMF, the creation and launch of the BMCareers programme, the introduction of the ETIM standard for building, plumbing, and HVAC materials in the UK and Ireland, and, most recently, with NMBS, the creation of Data Yard, the industryowned data pool for the entire building materials supply chain.”
John Newcomb
John will remain working for the BMF as Executive Chairman, which is a new role to replace the current nonexecutive position. This changed role combines governance responsibilities with an executive mandate to support broader industry engagement and growth.
John Newcomb said:
“ I am honoured to be appointed Executive Chairman after my 14-year tenure as CEO. Like Richard, I am proud to have contributed to the BMF’ s transformation and to have strengthened our position as the voice of the building materials sector. Throughout this period, I have had the pleasure of working alongside three exceptional chairs, Richard, who has been a fantastic mentor to me, and his predecessors, Peter Hindle MBE and Terry Parker, both of whom provided invaluable guidance and support.
“ I am looking forward to embracing this new challenge, supporting our new CEO, and working together to foster progress and champion our members’ interests in the years ahead.”
Tom Reynolds
Tom will join the BMF from his current role as Chief Executive of the British Brands Group, where he has championed the value of brands to the UK economy and led the Group’ s work to strengthen members’ capabilities and influence key policy areas. Prior to that, as Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, he represented manufacturers across the bathroom products sector, working with members, government, regulators and industry partners on product compliance, sustainability, water efficiency, skills and market confidence.
Tom, who holds a BA in Law and Politics and an MA in Environmental Politics, began his career in public affairs and communications before moving into membership at the British Ceramic Confederation, now Ceramics UK. He is focused on helping trade associations sharpen their strategic purpose, strengthen their influence and demonstrate tangible value to members.
Tom Reynolds said:
“ I am delighted to be joining the BMF as its new Chief Executive. Builders’ merchants and the wider building materials supply chain are a crucial part of this country’ s fabric- supporting communities, enabling construction, sustaining jobs, and helping to deliver the homes, infrastructure and growth that the UK needs.
“ I have long admired the BMF as a highly respected and effective voice for the sector, and it is a real privilege to lead the organisation into its next chapter. I look forward to working closely with John as Executive Chair, the BMF team, and all our members to champion this vital industry and ensure it is recognised as central to any government’ s growth ambitions.”
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