"I LOVE WORKING AT BLUEBAY!"
As UK Construction Week continues, we’re shining a spotlight on more of our brilliant colleagues. Today, it's Mohammed Akhtar, who tells us about his much loved life as a delivery driver for Bluebay.
I wasn’t always in construction but I have always been a driver, with my last role delivering clothes for Next; that job was ok but not something I had a huge passion for.
Last year, the agency I worked for suggested I apply for a driver’s role at Bluebay – highlighting a happy working culture, a growing business and positive staff feedback. So I took the advice and here I am, a year into my brilliant role at Bluebay.
At first, I didn’t fully grasp the whole product range, but that quickly changed and I’m now confident in my knowledge, especially with the help of the brilliant warehouse team.
Then there’s the projects too; I love delivering to the many sites Bluebay is involved in – some of them are so large they’re like towns, but the planning team are super strategic, so my routes are very well planned and my days run smoothly and efficiently.
The ethos at Bluebay is to get the job done right first time, so nothing is rushed and we’re methodical and organised before anything leaves the depot. This is a really nice aspect of my job as making sure our customers have everything they need, delivered on time, is of great importance to both the company and me personally.
Talking about my role during UK Construction Week has made me realise just how much I have loved the past year, and I hope to be with the Bluebay team for a long time to come. I’ve already seen so many changes in just 12 months – and since the company was taken over by The Wolseley Group, my role has expanded further, so I’m looking forward to what the future will bring.
Construction is definitely an industry I want to work in for the long-term and being a part of the Bluebay family genuinely makes each working day a pleasure to complete.
"IT'S AN EXCITING TIME FOR BLUEBAY, AND THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR!"
All this week – as part of UK Construction Week – we’ll be hearing from our brilliant Bluebay colleagues, each sharing what they love about the construction industry. That includes Norman Cilliers, who reflects on his life in construction and shares why he’s excited about the future at Bluebay.
I began my career in construction back in South Africa, working on the retail side of the industry. In the 1990s, I travelled overseas and pursued another passion: becoming a golf professional. I spent 15 years in the golfing industry, but in 2016 I decided to return to construction – and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since.
Reflecting on that during UK Construction Week has been fun, especially in my much-loved role at Bluebay. I first applied here for the role of depot manager in Luton. I like to think I got the job because I interviewed well and brought plenty of construction experience from South Africa – not the golf, I hasten to add!
That said, running my own business as a golf professional for 15 years gave me a strong business edge. It’s a mindset I carry into my work at Bluebay, always striving to go above and beyond, especially for our customers who invest in our knowledge and service.
Fast forward nine years, and I’m still here. The industry has changed dramatically since I first started. The introduction of new technologies has transformed construction, enhancing the way projects are delivered. Every build is different, and the need to adapt and develop keeps me motivated in my role.
Personally, I’ve grown through experiences working with a variety of clients, from housebuilders to tier-one national contracts including HS2. Each project brings different challenges, and overcoming them is what drives me. I love working with people, and customer satisfaction is what I really enjoy, we do a job and do it to the best of our ability, and seeing the results of that hard work come to fruition is hugely rewarding.
At Bluebay, we’ve seen big changes too, changes that have helped us respond to the pace of the industry. Being taken over by The Wolseley Group in January for example has brought huge opportunities and created visible company-wide and personal growth. While the appointment of our Managing Director Lucy Furnival back at the start of the year signalled the start of big team growth too.
It’s an exciting time to be at Bluebay, and an exciting time for the construction sector. I’m very positive about the changes so far and those still to come.
"THIS IS A BUSINESS ON AN UPWARDS TRAJECTORY"
This week we welcomed Mark Siney as our new Finance Director. In this blog, Mark reflects on his career journey, what drew him to Bluebay, and life outside work – from family time to his passion for fast cars and bikes.
I’m thrilled to be joining Bluebay as Finance Director – it’s already proving to be an exciting, fast-paced environment, which suits me perfectly.
I bring many years of experience as a commercially focused Finance Director, with a background in strategic development, operational management, and leadership across a wide range of sectors. Most recently I was Finance Director at Sandfield Capital, but before that I held divisional roles in FTSE-listed businesses including Pendragon PLC, one of the UK’s largest automotive retail groups, and A-Plant (now Sunbelt Rentals). The latter gave me valuable insight into industries closely connected to construction – experience I know will serve me well here at Bluebay.
What attracted me to Bluebay was the chance to bring all that experience into a sector I’ve wanted to return to, combined with the excitement of something new.
The story of Bluebay in 2025 is hugely impressive – from its acquisition by Wolseley, to Lucy’s appointment in January, to the ambitious recruitment drive that’s resulted in the formation of a stellar national team. Add to that the opening of a new depot in Thurrock and the launch of new brand partnerships with Nevoga and Rawlplug – it’s clear to me that this is a business on a sharp upward trajectory.
When you’re responsible for finance, you want to see smart, sustainable growth. That’s exactly what is evident here – intelligent decisions, a strong sense of direction, and an appetite for innovation. And I believe in the business too. From the outset, it’s been clear that Bluebay isn’t just another distributor. The company stands apart as a national leader with a reputation for technical expertise, problem-solving and exceptional customer service. We don’t simply sell products – we work with customers to provide solutions and build long-term relationships. That long-term mindset really resonated with me.
I’m based in Warrington, close to one of our depots, so I’ll be working there much of the time, while also looking forward to spending time across our full national network of five depots. It’s been great already to meet colleagues and start to get under the skin of the business.
Outside of work, I’m very much a family man. It’s been a big month for us with my daughter heading off to university at the same time as I start my new role. Family time is important to me – I love travelling with them and spending weekends together. That said, you’ll often find me keeping one eye on the F1 or the motorbike racing too – I’ve always had a love of fast cars and bikes.
All in all, it’s an exciting new chapter and I’m delighted to be part of Bluebay’s journey.
BLUEBAY LINKS UP WITH MAPEI TO EXPAND CUSTOMER RANGE
We’ve continued to expand our product portfolio this month, adding more distinguished brands to our range – including Mapei UK.
Mapei is a specialist in ceramic and stone installation products and this article, Viktor Peller of the company shares his thoughts on the collaboration, and how working with Bluebay is instrumental in expanding their growth within the UK market
We’re delighted to be collaborating with Bluebay and broadening our reach through their extensive customer base. We’re committed to working with companies whose professionalism and commitment to quality align with our own, and so the Mapei - Bluebay collaboration is a perfect fit.
A time of expansion
We’ve recently scaled up our operations in the UK through the acquisition of Wykamol, a British manufacturer specializing in waterproofing and property renovation solutions, meaning we can widen our offering to include damp proofing, structural waterproofing, and structural repairs alongside our already comprehensive range of construction chemicals.
Through our partnership, Bluebay clients now have access to an expanded range of Mapei products, including advanced waterproofing solutions from the Wykamol acquisition. This means more comprehensive options for their construction needs, backed by Mapei's technical support and innovation.
Shared values
Our partnership with Bluebay marks a significant step in Mapei UK's mission to provide innovative and sustainable construction solutions. We are committed to working with like minded companies who share our goals of sharing technical expertise. Bluebay has a deep understanding of construction products and their applications which is paramount. They also apply efficient logistics and maintain product availability backed up with excellent customer service.
It’s a hive of activity at Mapei, and this new collaboration is testament to that. We’re continually looking to evolve our own range and support our suppliers in building a future where quality and efficiency set new industry standards.
One key solution we’re excited to deliver is the Mapetherm External Wall Insulation (EWI) System. It’s a complete, BBA-certified system offering improved thermal performance and long-term durability, ideal for both refurbishment and new-build applications.
We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Bluebay and are excited about the possibilities this partnership brings. Our combined expertise and resources are poised to deliver exceptional value to the construction industry across the UK.
“I CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ON MY NEW CHALLENGE”
We’re delighted to welcome Georgie Clarke to the Bluebay team as our new External Sales Manager. In this blog, Georgie shares her career journey so far – and what she’s looking forward to most in her new role.
I’ve worked in the construction industry for more than a decade now, focusing mainly on roofing and new build specification in the South of the UK. I spent five years with BMI before relocating to the North West, where I joined Glidevale for a short time before making the exciting move to Bluebay.
Now, I’m thrilled to be part of the team here. It’s a really exciting time for the business – following its acquisition by the Worsley Group and the appointment of Lucy Furnival as Managing Director – and I knew I wanted to be part of that journey. I’ve joined as Technical Sales Manager for the North West and I’m looking forward to working closely with our brilliant Sales and Technical teams to deliver solutions that genuinely benefit our customers.
What I find most rewarding is building long-term relationships with clients and supporting them with expert advice that drives success. I’m excited to bring my experience to this role and to grow alongside the business.
The role of women in construction
Lucy’s appointment as Managing Director also highlights the growing role of women in our sector. While the construction industry has made great strides in recent years towards becoming more inclusive, there’s still more work to be done – and Lucy is a fantastic example of how far we’ve come. She’s an inspiring figure for people like me, and a great representative for women in leadership roles.
To continue building a more inclusive industry, I believe we need to invest in key areas like mentorship and support networks for women, which offer guidance and create real opportunities for advancement. Promoting flexibility is also vital, as it makes our sector more accessible – especially for women balancing multiple responsibilities. And we need to shout louder about the wide range of career paths available. There’s a place for women at all levels of this fantastic industry.
Ultimately, creating a culture that champions diversity, celebrates talent, and supports work-life balance will go a long way towards making construction a place where women not only join – but thrive.
I think Bluebay has lots of that, with great people and a great environment that I can’t wait to throw myself into.