BMF appoints new membership services director

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has appointed Richard Ellithorne as its new membership services director.

Ellithorne is the permanent replacement for BMF’s long-standing Federation secretary, Peter Matthews, who has retired.

Ellithorne has senior management experience at membership services organisations, most recently as operations director at the Road Haulage Association, where he revitalised business partner arrangements, launched new training services for members and helped increase membership recruitment.

Prior to that, and following business development roles with major distribution companies, he was head of information forums & influence with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Commenting on his appointment, Ellithorne said: “I am both pleased and excited to be joining the BMF and look forward to working with John Newcomb and the rest of the team. My main focus will be developing new commercial opportunities and adding to the BMF’s wide ranging portfolio of member services.”

The new recruitment will initially work alongside Dennis Smith, who is retained as a BMF consultant during July and August.

BMF MD John Newcomb said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to the BMF team. His experience of working with one of the UK’s biggest trade associations and a professional body with members in more than thirty countries will undoubtedly add a new dimension to our thinking in designing an even better service offer to support our members.”