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11 Mar 2025
Richard Sharp is joining NMBS as its new finance and operations director in May, taking over from Julie Langford, who leaves at the end of September after 17 years’ service.
Richard is joining NMBS from his role as finance director at Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions (OSS). In this role, Richard was responsible for four businesses, supplying timber frame housing kits, roof trusses, panelised roofs and steel frame commercial structures. Richard played a key role in establishing the division, driving synergies between the businesses, implementing a common systems infrastructure and strategy formulation. He also led the successful integration of the Roofspace acquisition into Saint-Gobain.
Richard had responsibility for the OSS Credit Team, established an Information Team, led the development of finance business partnering, and drove significant improvements in business controls. Working closely with the Operational and Procurement teams working capital was sustainably reduced.
In an earlier role within Saint-Gobain Richard led the financial aspect of opening a new Distribution Centre and Timber Importing and Distribution.
Prior to this, Richard has held senior financial and analyst roles with Reckitt Benckiser, Jewson, International Decorative Services and Graham Plumbers Merchant.
Chris Hayward, NMBS CEO, said:
“Richard brings with him decades’ of relevant experience and outstanding financial expertise within businesses of all sizes and across numerous business sectors, including building distribution, manufacturing, off-site manufacturing, FMCG and services. He will be a key part of our senior leadership team to guide NMBS, our member and suppliers, through the significant growth opportunities ahead.
“He will work alongside Julie for the next six months, allowing a smooth handover and ensuring the continued impact and legacy of Julie’s hard work and positive results over 17 brilliant years.
“Julie has been instrumental in the growth and development of NMBS and has our deepest thanks for everything she has achieved. She has forged many excellent business relationships and partnerships with our key suppliers and members, as well as numerous lifelong friendships. I know she will continue to enjoy those relationships in her new adventures to come.”
NMBS is the largest buying society in the UK for independent merchants, with an annual turnover of £2.2bn. It offers its members exclusive discounts and rebates from more than 450 suppliers, while giving suppliers access to over 1,250 merchants across more than 5,000 branches.