On the 27^th October 2011 Graham Ballinger was installed as the new Master for the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants (WCoBM). Graham joined the Livery company in 1995 and was invited onto the Court in 2002 - the route to becoming Master. The evening ended with a superb dinner at Fishmongers’ Hall, one of the grandest Livery Halls overlooking London Bridge and the River Thames, for the Master, Past Masters, Wardens, Members, the Clerk and guests, entertained by The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The WCoBM was founded in 1961 and plays a key part in supporting training and education for builders’ merchants as well as raising funds for a number of charities. The Company is also a premier networking platform for the industry with key social events organised throughout the year for members to attend.

The newly installed Master has played an active role in helping raise the profile of the Company and what it represents for the sector. For over 20 years, Graham was Managing Director, and the fourth generation of the family builders’ merchant business, A Ballinger (Leamington) Ltd before selling to Travis Perkins in 2002. Graham also served as Midland area Chairman of the BMF, was a member of the management committee of NMBS and his merchant business was a founder member of the buying group Cemco. As Master, he will have a big year in 2012 with the Olympics, the Royal Jubilee, and working towards, it is hoped, obtaining a Royal Charter for the Company.

The Master says: “I’m looking forward to my role and hope to carry on the good work of Immediate Past Master Gary Hopkins. I have a busy schedule ahead. Raising the profile of our industry in the City and within the sector itself will be a key priority, as well as maintaining our support for education and training and charity fundraising.”