He brings more than 30 years of construction sector experience to the role. He was managing director of the suspended ceiling manufacturer Rockfon for seven years before moving into distribution as national sales director for the interior business of SIG, a European leader in construction material distribution, and most recently the leading construction products distributor Encon Nevill Long.

His focus will be on increasing member numbers and engagement while also developing the extensive benefits already enjoyed by BESA members. He will be responsible for the existing team of regional managers and will report directly to group chief executive David Frise.

“I am delighted to be joining an organisation with such a respected and impressive track record of sector leadership going back more than a century,” said Mr Hemingway. “I am looking forward to working with the membership team to enhance the support we offer and encourage more firms to join us.

“The bigger we are as a collective, the better we can represent the industry and the more our members benefit.”

Mr Frise added that it was “excellent news for us as an organisation and for our members that we were able to attract someone with such broad experience and impressive background to this vital role”.