PRESS RELEASE
November 2017
NMBS MD marks 40years of service
NMBS managing director, Chris Hayward is celebrating a major career milestone.
October 2017 marks 40 years since he first started working for the UK's largest buying society for independent builders', plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants.
Chris first became part of the NMBS team on the 17th October 1977.
He joined the business as an office junior - a position which at the time was the equivalent of a modern day apprentice. It's perhaps fitting given the nature of NMBS that this first role was within the finance department.
Over the next four decades, Chris enjoyed continued progression and the opportunity to gain exposure to all aspects of NMBS' core service offering.
After starting as an office junior, he worked within various roles in the finance department whilst studying business studies and for an accounts qualification in the evenings.
He was promoted to Sales Ledger Supervisor in 1980 and then to the role of computer manager in 1982 where he enjoyed the added responsibility of preparing the company accounts.
He held this latter post for nine years and during that time played a key part in helping NMBS to embrace the digitial revolution and in managing the buying society's shift to EDI and more computerised methods of operation.
He was promoted to the position of commercial manager in 1992 at the age of 31 before becoming marketing communications manager at 34 and then marketing director in 1999, aged 38.
Two years later, he was promoted to the position of managing director at the age of 40.
Reflecting NMBS' ability to recruit and retain good people, he is only the third MD in the company's 54-year history.
He follows in the footstep's of John Tatton, who actually appointed Chris in 1977, and the buying society's second MD, Paul Hayman.
Chris' 40 years of service to NMBS was recognised with a special commemorative presentation at the NMBS Dinner Dance.
Commenting on his anniversary, Chris said "I joined NMBS as an apprentice and four decades later I still see the apprenticeship continuing. There is always something new to learn, new challenges to face and new opportunities to act upon which can help NMBS with its on-going efforts to strengthen independents."
He adds: "I've seen many changes over the years with many of the most significant developments stemming from advances in IT and the advent of the internet. I've also enjoyed many highlights and made many good friends amongst both our members and our suppliers.
"I'm looking forward to building on my achievements and experience to date and building a company legacy which supports dynamic and continual change with a real commitment to lifelong personal development."
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Images:
Chris Hayward NMBSDD17.jpg
Caption:
Career milestone.NMBS managing director, Chris Hayward is celebrating 40 years of working for the UK's largest buying society for independent builders', plumbing and heating, timber, and hardware merchants.
For more information on this story, contact Wayne Leith atwayne.leith@nmbs.co.uk
Notes to editors:
NMBS (National Merchant Buying Society) is the UK's largest buying group for independent builder's, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants.
Since its formation over 50 years ago in 1963, NMBS has continued to grow and evolve. Today it represents more 1000 merchant members and enjoys collective buying power in excess of £1.5BN. It uses this buying power to negotiate favourable prices and terms for members from over 600 brand leading, building industry suppliers.
Collectively, NMBS members operate more than 3000 branches nationwide and achieve annual sales of £7BN. This equates to approximately 40% of the value of the entire merchanting sector.
Further value-adding services offered by NMBS include credit insurance, marketing support and access to a dedicated and secure portal known as the ‘Report Centre'. This enables members and suppliers to deal with many day-to-day transactional requirements online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NMBS also stages regular networking, knowledge sharing and trading events that bring together both its members and suppliers. These events include the NMBS Golf Day, the NMBS Gala Dinner, the NMBS Dinner Dance, the NMBS All-Industry Conference and the NMBS Exhibition.
As part of its commitment to ‘Strengthening Independents', NMBS not only delivers services and events to enhance the profitability and success of its members but also acts as a voice and as a champion for the independent merchanting sector.
For more information on NMBS, visit www.nmbs.co.uk