NMBS marks a memorable evening at their annual Dinner Dance while continuing to support CRASH as Charity Partner

On Saturday 25th October, independent builders’ merchants and suppliers came together for a night of celebration at the annual NMBS Dinner Dance, held once again in the prestigious Great Room at the Grosvenor House, London.

This year’s event was especially poignant, marking the final Dinner Dance hosted by NMBS’s long-standing CEO, Chris Hayward, who will be stepping down in April 2026 following an incredible 47-year career at NMBS.

Guests were welcomed with a drinks reception before being called to dinner. The evening featured a delicious three-course meal, with chocolates kindly sponsored by Corporate Patron Heidelberg Materials, and Corporate Patron British Gypsum once again showed their support as one of the event’s gift sponsors.

Later in the evening, Chris was joined on stage by Kevin Williams, his successor as CEO. Kevin thanked Chris for his leadership and guidance during the transition, saying:

“Chris’s generosity with his time, his wisdom, and his friendship has made this transition a pleasure. The strength of this organisation, the team he has built, the respect he carries across our industry, and the legacy he leaves behind are a testament to his leadership.”

Kevin also encouraged guests to give generously, as funds were raised for both CRASH and our vital work with homelessness charities and hospices, and the Maddie Rose Foundation, which continues to help young people build careers in merchanting. Guests donated an incredible £8,885 which the NMBS kindly rounded up to £10,000 on the night.

CRASH is extremely grateful for NMBS’s continued partnership and the generous support from across the industry. These donations will go towards creating warm, safe and caring environments for people who are homeless and for children and adults receiving hospice care.

We are so grateful to Patrick Cantellow and Carmen Harris from Corporate Patrons Knauf and AECOM who joined the CRASH team for the evening, and we would not have been able to collect donations without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Thank you to Chris Green, Ian Chadwick, Liz Edwards, Tia Butler, Ross Stewart from Corporate Patron ACO Technologies and their partners who joined them on the evening. Thank you also to Steve and Rachel Durdant-Hollamby from the Maddie Rose Foundation. We are so grateful for this support collecting vital donations, which will go towards creating places that care for people when they are at their most vulnerable and helping young people build careers in merchanting.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt standing ovation for Chris, marking the end of an era and celebrating his remarkable contribution to NMBS and the wider industry.