ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP AWARD
Builders Merchants Federation – John Newcomb
John’s boundless energy and enthusiasm combined with his clear vision of what the role of the BMF should be, has transformed the way the Industry and Government perceives the Builders Merchant Federation.
Over the past decade, John Newcomb has led the BMF with a clear, well-focused strategy that has seen membership grow by 22% since the start of the pandemic in 2020, and by an astonishing 165% since his appointment in 2012. Membership is now at its highest level since 1986, and the BMF’s balance sheet has never been stronger, last year posting a surplus of £143K on a turnover of £2.7m, with £4.7m net assets.
John’s vision and professionalism sets the standard for his executive team and the BMF Board, where his passion, dedication and determination is frequently cited as a source of inspiration, while his straightforward can-do approach motivates internal and external colleagues alike.
Institute of Employability Professionals – Scott Parkin FIEP
With the strategic leadership of Group CEO Scott Parkin, the IEP has built trust, improved quality standards, professionalised the employability sector, and championed its importance to society. Scott’s clear-sighted vision and focused leadership approach has enabled him, with the support of our Chair and Board of Directors, to transform the IEP from a small UK operation with only 2 part-time staff members to a flourishing international enterprise with 13 permanent employees, and 11 specialist contractors, which is set to grow in the next few months again. As Group CEO, Scott has implemented governance, board, and company structures for growth and development He inspires commitment and fosters a culture of ownership, leading to a supportive and nurturing environment where staff feel valued. Scott’s leadership has enabled IEP to grow its impact, influence, reach, and to diversify. He has developed an excellent team that delivers market-leading services across the UK and internationally.
Institute of Internal Communication – Jennifer Sproul
Jennifer is an inspirational leader both for her team and for the Internal Communication (IC) profession. She has been Chief Executive since 2016 and made an impact from the moment she joined – turnover has increased 145%, membership 366%, the team doubled.
National Residential Landlords Association – Ben Beadle
NRLA CEO Ben Beadle created the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) via a merger in May 2020.
Since then he has grown the NRLA by more than 20,000 members, to over 100,000 with a TrustPilot satisfaction rating of 4.9/five.
Ben’s vision is underpinned by three strategic aims:
• To be the leading voice for landlords
• To deliver innovative products and services to members and new audiences
• To be a great and inclusive place to work.
Ben has cultivated strong relationships with Ministers, securing two meetings with Housing Secretary Michael Gove in recent months.
He is also a familiar face on national television, outlining the unique challenges facing landlords – and potential solutions – with a strong focus on challenging stereotypes.
He is a trusted, hands-on and popular leader, holding a weekly staff briefing and promoting wellbeing in the workplace, via fitness classes, quizzes and social events.
He has also set up a partnership with Crisis to support homeless households into rented accommodation and has worked with Shelter identifying common campaigning ground.
Ben was also the driving force behind the development of the association’s new management portal ‘Portfolio’, which allows landlords to manage their portfolios via their NRLA account.
The Institute of Leadership – John Mark Williams
John Williams was appointed CEO of the then Institute of Leadership & Management in September 2020, halfway through the pandemic The organisation was struggling, and John was appointed to turn it round, and grow the Institute into a truly global leadership community. John spent the first year setting clear, purposeful objectives and a credible strategy, and applying the changes needed Since then, John has refocused the Institute on its core mission – ‘To inspire great leadership everywhere’, and empowered and encouraged the Team to be innovative and experimental Through John’s guidance and energy, the Institute achieved a surplus twelve months ahead of schedule, and has been steadily accruing members and clients ever since The Institute is now on track for a record surplus in 2023 Major changes have included embedding remote working, which has improved productivity and commitment; overseeing the takeover of a similar sized organisation, and managing a change of name to ‘The Institute of Leadership’ Throughout this whole process, three principles have always guided John: the Institute belongs to its members; the well-being of the Team is paramount; we should live the Values – Authenticity, Vision, Ownership, Collaboration and Achievement – that we promote to our members.
The Institute of the Motor Industry – Lesley Woolley
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is a membership body focused on supporting the professional development of those individuals who work in the automotive sector with the end goal of ensuring the highest standards of vehicle maintenance and repair for road user safety. Established in the UK in 1920 and now representing 93,000+ members across the globe, the IMI’s mission is to enhance the professional status of individuals in the motor industry and to promote excellence in the field. In that context, it sees its role as leading how the sector is shaped and future-proofing it for the next generation of automotive technology.
In the last 12-18 months, the organisation has spearheaded a number of initiatives to tackle the skills gap it faces as well as equip the workforce for the career opportunities that will exist in the future.
The Scottish Plant Owners Association – Callum Mackintosh
In March 2021, Callum Mackintosh became the youngest ever President of the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) in its 70-year history. Having served two years as Vice President, Callum had a vision.
He wanted to support members to keep ahead of changes, modernise the SPOA, improve communication and diversify the membership of the industry on the Executive Committee.
Highlights of his time as President include lobbying and raising awareness on issues impacting SPOA members including new legislation to remove the construction sector’s entitlement to use rebated red diesel, and partnering with the Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime (SPAACE) to launch its first crime prevention campaign to tackle plant and fuel theft, using a Police Scotland liveried JCB 3CX.
Callum has introduced surveys to gain feedback from SPOA members and engaged with them and other stakeholders throughout his presidency. He has held events and undertaken initiatives to encourage women and young people into the industry and worked with partners to ensure people entering the industry have all the necessary support – in turn, helping to secure the future of the industry.
UKHospitality – Kate Nicholls OBE
UKHospitality’s clear position as the leading voice of the sector has enabled the company to deliver meaningful changes and make a tangible difference in keeping businesses afloat this year.
The organisation’s leadership, led by Chief Executive Kate Nicholls, were able to call upon the political relationships built during the pandemic and maintained in the following years to make clear the impacts being felt by the sector and the measures needed to urgently mitigate them.
This engagement successfully delivered two crucial lifelines for businesses. Firstly, securing the Energy Bill Relief Scheme provided critical and substantial support of energy bills for businesses and was no doubt able to keep hundreds, if not thousands, in business.
Secondly was achieving extended business rates relief at the Autumn Budget, which increased from 50% to 75% for hospitality and leisure businesses – alongside a freeze in the headline rate. Hospitality businesses are unfairly penalised by the business rates system and were set to experience a double-whammy of relief ending and an inflation-linked hike to rates.
