The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has secured one of the country’s foremost economists, Mark Berrisford-Smith, and one of the housing industry’s leading proponents of sustainability, Garry McDonald, to speak at the All Industry Conference which takes place in Portugal in June.

Mr Berrisford-Smith is head of economics for HSBC’s commercial banking business in the UK. He is responsible for advising the Bank in the UK and its business customers on developments in the British and global economies, and as part of his responsibility takes a particular interest in monitoring the performance of European countries as well as China. His presentation will be both well-informed and well-honed as he speaks regularly at conferences, seminars, and lunches organised or sponsored by HSBC, having attended around 130 events in the last year.

Mr McDonald has been in the housebuilding sector since 1989 and procurement director for Miller Homes since 2003. He has responsibility for the business’ supply chain and his role has evolved to include overall responsibility for product development, corporate responsibility strategy and customer satisfaction. Within the supply chain, he has placed particular focus on developing long-term relationships by adopting a genuine partnership approach. He has also played a key role in driving sustainability within the business, which has seen Miller Homes recognised as one of the industry’s top sustainable housebuilders.

Mr McDonald is currently involved with the Zero Carbon Hub, leading a working group as part of the government-led project looking at Closing the Design versus As Built Performance Gap for newbuild housing.

John Newcomb, BMF managing director, said: “Mark’s insight into the UK’s economic prospects and Garry’s pivotal role at one of the UK’s leading sustainable housebuilders will provide further breadth to our Conference theme: Fit for the Future. Mark and Garry join a fantastic line-up of business and industry speakers for what promises to be the best and most informative All Industry Conference to date.”