South West Builders Federation re-elects Perkins as president at Bristol AGM

The South West Builders Federation (SWBF) has re-elected Rupert Perkins as president, David Parsons as vice president and Philip Bearne as treasurer at its annual general meeting in Bristol, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) said.

Sean Houlston, the NFB's associate director of membership, attended the meeting and congratulated the three officers. He also thanked the SWBF for sponsoring the NFB's recent Heritage and Traditional Build Conference, the federation said.

Houlston said: "The SWBF has a history that South West builders can be proud of, with practical benefits that continue today, from help with membership fees to support for apprentices."

The federation

The SWBF was founded in 1900 and has represented builders across seven South West counties for more than 125 years, according to the NFB.

In 1960 it joined other regional federations in a national umbrella body, helping to set up the structure that became today's NFB.

When regional management and administration were centralised in 1974, the SWBF kept ownership of its Bristol premises and became a not-for-profit members' organisation, using surplus funds for the benefit of builders in the region.

The NFB said income from the SWBF's properties in Bristol and Exeter has since helped subsidise NFB membership subscriptions and paid for industry events, training initiatives and grants.

That support has included the King's Trust's Get into Construction programmes in Plymouth, Bristol and Exeter, as well as college awards and tools for apprentices.

Membership

All NFB members based in the South West are automatically members of the SWBF and receive a discount on their NFB membership, which the SWBF funds, the NFB said.

Members can also help decide how the SWBF's resources are used in the region. Houlston urged them to take part: "Please get involved, put forward your ideas and help decide where that support can make the biggest difference."

Members who want to put forward ideas or find out about committee opportunities can contact SWBF administrator Vanessa by email, the NFB said.