Hull’s MKM Building Supplies appoints new CEO

Hull-based MKM Building Supplies, the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant, has appointed Philip Johns as CEO with effect from August 2015.

Philip has significant experience in UK building materials distribution and joins MKM from SIG plc where he was managing director of the exteriors division and responsible for over 200 branches.

David Kilburn, the founder of MKM, also becomes executive chairman and will focus on the growth of the branch network and further enhancing the customer experience.

MKM current operates with 42 branches and has future plans to continue to grow to more than 100 branches. The business had sales of £213m in the year to September 2014, a 31% increase from the prior year and significantly outperforming the industry.

The MKM Board has also appointed Rothschild to advise it on the firm’s medium to long term strategic options.

Commenting on the appointment, David Kilburn he is “delighted” with the addition of Philip, who “is very experienced in growing and developing a large branch network and managing a central team to support that network.”

David added: “Philip’s appointment will build on our continued strong trading and is an important step in the next phase of our growth strategy, which has developing the branch network at its core.”

MKM was listed in the Sunday Times’ Grant Thornton Fast Track 250 in 2014.