John Cave to chair BMF Bricks, Blocks & Landscaping Forum

The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has appointed John Cave, executive director at EH Smith Group, to chair its Bricks, Blocks & Landscaping Forum.

The Bricks, Blocks & Landscaping Forum is one of the BMF’s six dedicated product category forums, which are designed to engage with members across various sectors of the building materials industry.

Cave, who takes over from David Young, CEO of Bradfords Building Supplies, chaired his first Forum on June 3 2025 with over 50 people in attendance and a topical agenda looking at sustainability and innovation in the supply chain.

Cave’s career in merchanting spans over 20 years. For the past six years, he has led sales and strategy for the brick and façade category at E H Smith. During this time, he has overseen the development of bulk storage facilities in Hemel Hempstead and Cannock for the 18 million bricks held in stock and the opening of the company’s first Design Centre for Architects in London, with a second in Birmingham set to open later this year.

BMF CEO, John Newcomb, said: “Product Forums ranked highly as an essential BMF service in our latest Member Survey. We are delighted that John is bringing his expertise to our Bricks, Blocks and Landscaping Forum, and I look forward to working with him. I would also like to thank David Young for his excellent work as chair in support of this important product group.”

Welcoming his successor, Young said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair and hope the Forum will continue to challenge supply chain issues, child labour concerns and industry challenges. John’s background as a heavyside merchant makes him well suited to drive this initiative forward, and I am sure he will do well.”