Blogs

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam Be it ever so ‘umble, there’s no place like home One of the most cynical political moves of my lifetime was the 1986 Council elections in London. Westminster City Council was found to have pushed through sales of council housing in certain …

It is the long history of humankind…that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed Once upon a time, there were three independent builders merchant companies with different histories, different ownership models, and different geographical heartlands. They also had some similarities: all have built their reputations on …

Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt. Every silver lining has its cloud it seems. There is just no getting away from the fact that it is pretty grim out there. Whether that’s to do with the actual weather …

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning We’ve all known those people who come into a new job with fresh ideas and a mountain of energy, fizzing with enthusiasm, and a …

One of the things that many of us love about the building materials sector is the sense of community and family – we love the people. That’s a given. In fact it’s so much given that it’s veering towards the cliché. And the people in this industry have always been …

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does So, that’s all over then, a new champion has been decided, and it’ll be another four years before we have to worry about …

If you don’t like people, put up with them as well as you can. Don’t try to love them… try to tolerate them. On the basis of that tolerance a civilised future may be built. What the..? You turn your back for a couple of weeks’ R&R (rosé and reblochon …

The only way out is through Since 1997, the UK has had, if you include Andy Burnham, who may or may not be elected unopposed as Leader of the Labour Party, and, therefore, PM, nine Prime Ministers. Of those, only five have won a General Election – the public’s trust, …

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. Excuse my French, but I bloody love this industry. There’s just something about what goes on here, about the people, the products, the processes that seems to float my proverbial boat. …

The ballot is stronger than the bullet This is a fabulous industry, full of people all doing some amazing jobs to the best of their ability. So let’s celebrate their achievements at a big Party at the end of September. Yes people, this is the start of my annual nudging …