Marianna is the Learning & Development and Apprenticeship Manager for Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and has been in the industry for 7.5 years.
Marianna’s day-to-day responsibilities are managing all BMF training including; face-to-face courses, our diploma programme, apprenticeships, and their e-learning platform.
She also project manages the Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM), leads the BMF Young Merchants and Ambassador networks and represents the BMF on several external boards and initiatives such as Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC), Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants (WCoBM), The Maddie Rose Campaign and the BMF’s charity partner, The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT).
Marianna’s start in the Construction industry felt like a new beginning for her career: “I left retail DIY because I was looking for a more professional career with greater long-term prospects. When I landed my first role in the building materials sector, I was incredibly excited – it felt like the start of something much bigger, and it’s absolutely lived up to that.”
Being a woman in the industry hasn’t directly affected Marianna, but she recognises that representation needs to improve: “Being a woman in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry doesn’t feel like anything specific on a day-to-day basis. The only time I’m really aware of a gender imbalance is in panel discussions or industry imagery that’s overly weighted towards men – but even that has improved massively in the last year. I’ve seen a real shift towards greater balance, more inclusion, and stronger representation across the board.”
Marianna has seen positive changes in regards to the gender balance in the industry: “Since I joined the industry, there’s been a noticeable increase in gender balance, more openness to younger colleagues – especially through apprenticeships – and a real effort to modernise. There’s been a positive shift in how we present ourselves, using real people, up-to-date imagery, and celebrating diversity in all its forms.”
Marianna is not afraid to challenge the norm in her role: “Personally, I bring a younger perspective to my role. I like to challenge the norm, offer fresh ideas, and spot opportunities that may be overlooked by more traditional ways of working. At the BMF, I always try to adopt a member-first mindset and ensure everything we do adds value and supports their needs.”
When it comes to addressing gender equity, Marianna says: “I think it starts with being mindful – of the language we use, of unconscious biases, and of the assumptions we might make about people’s interests or capabilities. For me, it’s about treating everyone as individuals and creating space for all voices to be heard and valued.”
