UK: One of the Builders Merchants Federation’s most successful students received a surprise reward for his endeavours with an invitation to dine with the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
As the BMF’s leading nationwide trainee in 2011, Sylvain Bordas, a shop manager with Palladium Building Supplies in Kingsbridge, Devon was invited to attend the luncheon for Her Majesty in Westminster Hall, by the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants.
Originally from France, Mr Bordas moved to Devon and, with no previous merchanting experience, replied to an advertisement placed by Palladium Building Supplies. As a trainee he gained experience across the business in lightside, heavyside and merchant business practice as he undertook a series of BMF training courses covering product awareness, kitchen and bathroom design and customer service, before moving onto management training. BMF are recognised suppliers of training specifically geared to the builders merchants industry, providing a comprehensive range of training for merchant personnel from yard staff through to senior management, from one-day specialist courses to professional qualifications studied over several years.
Mr Bordas excelled throughout his BMF training, achieving five distinctions, and his application has earned him several promotions. He now heads up Palladium’s specialist plumbing section as well as having overall responsibility for the Kingsbridge retail shop.
Said Mr Bordas: “I was extremely proud to be chosen as the BMF’s leading trainee but the invitation to dine with the Queen came as a complete surprise. I was thrilled to attend the luncheon and delighted that I was just a few tables from Her Majesty. It was a day I will never forget, an incredible experience and an honour to take part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.”
