Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG)

About Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG)

IBMG is the largest independent merchant group in the South of England operating through five core divisions (Building, Timber, Plumbing & Heating, Roofing and Electrical), primarily serving trade customers with an extensive range of products. IBMG has over 180 branches extending from Penzance to Margate, generating revenues in excess of £650 million and are supported by over 2,200 colleagues.

IBMG is a growing business. We are on a journey of opening new branches and acquiring new brands for our five divisions. We seek to nurture and empower all our merchant businesses, acquiring and sustaining the very best knowledge and the most loyal customer base.

Our focus is on building a sustainable future for our brands. To achieve this, we ensure the local customer relationships are front and centre. We value the customers, colleagues, and heritage of all of our brands, and with IBMG they gain the central support and knowledge of a large integrated group. This ensures all our brands are best equipped to serve their local communities, while keeping strong rapport with their customers.

Employee benefits and perks

We offer a range of employee benefits which vary by brand so please refer to a specific roles for more details.

Career development and growth

We recognise, reward, and develop our people and brands, helping them thrive in the short, medium and long-term.

We were proud to win the BMF’s Training Company of the Year award 2023, which celebrated IBMG’s commitment to supporting and developing teams across the entire business, from apprentices to directors, providing bespoke pathways for development, as well as giving our people the skills required in their day-to-day roles.

We have been shortlisted for the same award in 2024 due to our continued work on a new Management Development Programme for senior managers and potential managers, where bespoke courses have been developed with BMF trainers to support this initiative. These courses can then be implemented throughout the entire business at all levels and supports our commitment to developing and engaging the people of IBMG.

We also have committed to recruiting and developing 200 apprentices by 2030.

EDI (equity, diversity & inclusion) initiatives

IBMG is committed to achieving a working environment which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, disability, religion or beliefs, age or sexual orientation. This Policy aims to remove unfair and discriminatory practices within the company and to encourage full contribution from its diverse community. We are committed to actively opposing all forms of discrimination.

IBMG also aims to provide a service that does not discriminate against its customers and clients in the means by which they can access the services and goods supplied by the company. We believe that all employees, customers and clients are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity.

Sustainability / environmental stewardship

IBMG is a growing business. We are on a journey of opening new branches and acquiring new brands for our five divisions. We seek to nurture and empower all our merchant businesses, acquiring and sustaining the very best knowledge and the most loyal customer base.

Our focus is on building a sustainable future for our brands. To achieve this, we ensure the local customer relationships are front and centre. We value the customers, colleagues and heritage of all of our brands, and with IBMG they gain the central support and knowledge of a large integrated group. This ensures all our brands are best equipped to serve their local communities, while keeping strong rapport with their customers.

School ambassador

Emma Champion

emma.champion@independentbm.com

Qualified strategic marketer with more than 9 years’ experience in B2B & B2C marketing and events, with a focus on brand development, and partnership marketing.

Results led, with a coaching and supportive leadership style and proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive innovation, and deliver successful campaigns; increasing share of wallet and market share.

Passionate about animal and environmental welfare and sustainability.