NMBS has made two new appointments to its management board.

Frank Howard and Glynis Catterson bring a wealth of experience that NMBS says will "contribute to the continued success of the UK's leading buying society for independent builders', plumbing and heating, timber, and hardware merchants".

Howard has been involved in the merchanting sector for more than 30 years. He established Frank Howard Tools & Fixings Ltd in 1988 before growing it into the largest independent tool stockist in Essex. It now has branches in Braintree, Chelmsford and Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

He said: "I'm genuinely excited about becoming a member of the NMBS management board and hope I can add value to what is already a very experienced and accomplished team. I'm looking forward to getting to grips with the role and to using my skills and passion to benefit the wider independent merchanting sector."

Catterson is a director at S&A Merchants, an independent builders' merchant with two branches in County Durham - one in Barnard Castle and one in Crook. Before to moving into the merchanting sector in 2001, she was a qualified accountant working in manufacturing and chemicals.

She has also served on the NBG executive board for the last five years, where she is currently responsible for finance and for supporting the development of new IT systems.

Catterson said: "I am honoured and excited to be accepted onto the NMBS management board. Coming from a small merchant myself, I hope to act as a strong voice for other small merchants whilst helping to ensure NMBS continues to evolve and to add value to its members."

Chris Hayward, Managing Director at NMBS, said: "On behalf of the existing board, NMBS and all its merchant members, I would like to welcome Frank and Glynis to their new positions.

"Their appointment further strengthens a hardworking and dedicated team who ensure NMBS is a buying society for independent merchants, governed and directed by independent merchants.

"I'm sure their knowledge, first-hand experience and new ideas will make an invaluable and important contribution."