Inaugural BMN Independent Merchant Forum to deliver key insight for sector leaders.
Independent merchants from across the UK have been invited to London this November to take part in the first-ever BMN Independent Merchant Forum.
As the merchant sector contends with rapid regulatory change, supply chain pressure and accelerating technological disruption, the dedicated one-day event will focus on the frontline commercial challenges facing independent operators.
Organised in partnership with the NMBS, the forum is free to attend for senior decision-makers. Places are limited to 50 delegates to encourage active, open debate between speakers and attendees.
The forum has been designed to move beyond theory, with a clear focus on practical business insight, collaboration and risk management for the independent merchant sector. Key focus areas include:
• Strategic market insight: Expert macroeconomic and sector-level analysis to support budgeting and volume forecasting.
• Operational resilience: Practical steps to strengthen working capital, retain customer loyalty and withstand margin pressures.
• The regulatory and safety landscape: Unpacking compliance changes around building regulations, product traceability and safety legislation.
• Technology and cyber defence: Practical guidance on adopting new digital tools without exposing merchant operations to emerging vulnerabilities.
High-calibre speaker line-up
The event will feature an authoritative line-up of industry specialists, with focused presentations followed by direct delegate Q&A.
• Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association: Taking to the stage to present on Fire Safety & Compliance, Caplehorn will explore merchant responsibilities under the evolving product safety frameworks and outline practical steps businesses must take to mitigate compliance and legal liabilities.
• Giles Newman, Assistant Director (Merchant Services), Communities & Housing Investment Consortium: Will tackle the subject of merchant compliance models and how merchants can unlock opportunities in the social housing sector.
• Samuel B., Sector Resilience Lead at the National Cyber Security Centre: Tackling the mounting threat of digital fraud and ransomware across merchant supply networks and branch infrastructures.
You can see the full agenda via the event website.
The BMN Independent Merchant Forum is designed to give the most senior leaders from top UK independent merchants straight answers to the issues they are facing on the ground right now.
By keeping places limited, the event will ensure that every delegate leaves with concrete takeaways and action points, rather than theoretical discussion.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, 26 November
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Venue: 1 Wimpole Street, London
Cost: Free to attend (Register here)
