Hipkins to chair BMF West Midlands

17 May 2019


James Hipkins, managing director of Emerys Builders Merchants, is the new chairman of the Builders Merchants’ Federation’s (BMF) West Midlands region. He takes over from Neil Lawrence, chief operating officer Jewson and managing director Local Merchant Group.

Mr Hipkins, who grew up in the West Midlands, began his merchanting career as a trainee manager with Jewson in north Wales where, at 24, he became its youngest branch manager at the time. He joined the Joseph Parr Group as MD Designate of Emerys Builders Merchants in 1999 when Emerys was a small merchant in Stoke on Trent. Now, it is not only the largest merchant in the area, it also operates a thriving second depot in Telford.

Commenting on his appointment, James Hipkins said: “I consider it an honour to be asked and a privilege to take on the role of chair of the BMF West Midlands Region. I hope my experience within a national merchant and my current role within an independent merchant puts me in a good position to understand the collective needs and challenges faced by all members of the BMF.”

James Hipkins