Mike Ward, Territory Director UK and Ireland at Wavin, has been elected to the Board of the Builders Merchants Federation to serve as the Elected Director-Suppliers with effect from 1 April 2022.

Ward takes over from Charles Ledigo, Chairman of Reisser Ltd, who will step down on 31 March, having completed his second three-year term of office.

Ward’s career in construction products manufacturing spans 26 years. Before joining Wavin in 2018, he held senior positions in timber building products and engineered wood solutions as Managing Director UK & Ireland for Metsä Wood UK. and Managing Director of JELD-WEN. Earlier in his career he qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC, and held manufacturing and business development roles with De Beers South Africa.

He is passionate about driving diversity, making manufacturing a more attractive career, and mentoring the next generation of construction leaders.

Commenting on his election, Mike Ward, said: “I'm delighted and humbled to be elected to the board of the BMF. The organisation represents a sector that employs over 207,000 people and generates sales of over £39bn. I'm looking forward to supporting the interests of the wider construction sector in an ever changing legislative and geopolitical world."

Richard Hill, Chair of the BMF Board, said: “BMF membership embraces generalist and specialist merchants as well building materials manufacturers and suppliers.  Mike’s wide-ranging experience coupled with his desire to raise the professional profile of the building materials industry makes him a valuable and welcome addition to the Board.”