Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The building materials sector has committed to developing future talent with the launch of the Maddie Rose Foundation, the industry-led charity designed to support young people seeking rewarding careers across merchanting and manufacturing.
Officially unveiled during the Maddie Rose Yellow Tie Dinner on 28th May, the Foundation represents the next stage in the evolution of the Maddie Rose Campaign, which was established as a lasting legacy to Maddie Rose Hollamby in partnership with Construction Youth Trust.
The launch coincided with the fifth annual Maddie Rose Golf Day, which welcomed 110 golfers to the iconic Brabazon Course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, before 190 guests gathered for the evening’s Yellow Tie Dinner. Together, the events raised an impressive £25,000 to support the Foundation’s mission of creating opportunities for young people seeking careers within merchanting, manufacturing and the wider building materials sector.
Established by the industry, for the industry, the Maddie Rose Foundation aims to nurture talent, remove barriers to opportunity and provide practical support to young people looking to build rewarding, long-term careers within the sector.
Building on the success of the Maddie Rose Campaign, which has raised more than £160,000 over the past four years, the Foundation will expand its reach and impact across the UK, helping young people access education, training and employment opportunities while supporting businesses in developing future talent pipelines.
The Foundation will work closely with merchants, manufacturers, suppliers and industry organisations to deliver a range of initiatives, including:
- Funding for training courses and professional qualifications
- Grants, bursaries and scholarships
- Mentoring and employability support
- Work experience opportunities
- Career insight programmes and confidence-building initiatives
- Connections with employers across the building materials and construction sectors
A key objective of the Foundation is to raise awareness of the diverse range of careers available within the building materials sector, helping young people discover opportunities that offer stability, progression and long-term career development.
The Foundation will also work closely with merchants, manufacturers, suppliers and industry bodies to connect young people directly with employers and create clear pathways into employment.
Jamie Pierce, chair of the Maddie Rose Foundation, believes the charity has the potential to make a lasting difference both to young people and to the industry itself. “The Maddie Rose Foundation began life as the Maddie Rose Campaign, created to honour Maddie’s life and legacy, and her passion for promoting careers within the building materials sector and the wider built environment,” he said at the launch.
“We are now in a position to expand our activities and develop meaningful programmes to support the next generation of talent in our sector. We want to help young people gain new skills, build confidence and access clear pathways into stable, rewarding careers.”
The Maddie Rose Foundation is now actively seeking applications from young people looking to further their careers within the building materials sector through grants, bursaries and development opportunities.
Individuals interested in applying, or organisations wishing to support the Foundation through a Commercial Partnership Agreement, should contact admin@maddierosefoundation.org.uk.
All enquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
As the next chapter in Maddie Rose’s legacy, the Foundation is committed to ensuring talented young people with ambition and potential have access to the support, guidance and opportunities they need to build successful careers and help secure the future of the building materials industry.
