The Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) has appointed two of its governors to the positions of vice president and junior vice president.

Mark Terry and Catherine Towns have combined construction industry experience of more than 40 years.

The IoBM says Mr Terry and Ms Towns will be tasked with encouraging professional development and driving membership uptake.

Mr Terry started his career in construction as an apprentice builder before he moved to the sales and management side of the sector. He is currently national sales manager of Howarth Timber & Building Supplies.

He said: "Having been appointed as the vice president of the IoBM, I am looking forward to working closely with Allan, Catherine and the rest of the board of governors to turn the institute's ambitions and ideas into reality.

“We want to be able to provide training and support to all those within the merchant trade - no matter what their position is."

Ms Towns is PR and client services director at CIB Communications, a full-service B2B agency specialising in construction, and brings over 19 years of construction marketing experience to the IoBM.

"I hope that my knowledge of the construction industry will help the institute ramp up activity and find new ways to support merchants.

“Indeed, with the construction industry slowly picking back up, there's no better time to engage with the merchant trade and provide them with a stable and clear career path," said Ms Towns.

Allan Durning, IoBM president, said: "With two of our well-respected governors taking up key appointments within the institute, plus the arrival of four new governors, the position of our team has been strengthened.”