NMBS raises charity cash and pays tribute

More than 1,000 independent builders’ merchants and suppliers came together to at the NMBS annual Dinner Dance on Saturday (October 25), in the Great Room, Grosvenor House, London.

The event raised £10,000 for two charities CRASH, the construction industry charity tackling homelessness and hospice projects, and the Maddie Rose Foundation, which supports young people entering the merchanting sector. This year also marked the final Dinner Dance hosted by NMBS’s CEO, Chris Hayward, who will step down in April 2026, after 47-year career at NMBS.

Hayward thanked guests for their continued support and celebrated what has been achieved together in the past 12 months. “NMBS has never been in better shape,” he said. “With turnover projected to exceed £2.2bn this year, we remain firmly on track, and it’s down to the strength of our members and suppliers that we continue to thrive, even in uncertain times.

“This year, we’ve made real strides through the Construction Inclusion Coalition, and I’m proud that NMBS has remained focused on helping create a more diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.”

Hayward also acknowledged the success of Data Yard, NMBS’s new industry data pool delivered in partnership with the Builders Merchants Federation, and the growing momentum of apprenticeships across the sector.

CEO-designate Kevin Williams, thanked Hayward for the support he has given the NMBS team and himself during the handover period. He said: “Chris’s generosity with his time, his wisdom, and his friendship has made this transition a pleasure. The strength of this organisation, the team he has built, the respect he carries across our industry, and the legacy he leaves behind are a testament to his leadership.”