Business

Builders merchant Murdock bolsters senior team in bid to drive growth

Group confirms four key appointments following Brooks acquisition

Murdock Builders Merchants in key reorganisation
Pictured following the reorganisation at Murdock Builders Merchants are (from left) Pat Moore, Martin Farrell, James Higgins, Brendan Sammon and Peter Kelly (PHIL SMYTH PHOTO)

One of Ireland’s leading builders merchants groups has made a number of key appointments at the top of the business to further enable expansion across the island and drive growth.

Murdock Builders Merchants (MBM), which is owned by the Murdock family from Burren in Co Down, successfully acquired Brooks Timber & Building Supplies in August 2021and has since invested heavily in facilities, IT systems and a revised senior leadership structure.

And it is now making four key internal appointments to further strengthen the management team and leverage the significant customer and trade experience within the two businesses.



The changes will see new managing directors appointed to both MBM and Brooks while two managers will take on group roles operating across both brands.

Martin Farrell, currently commercial director at MBM, will take the helm as MD for MBM across Ireland, following over 25 years with the business, while industry veteran Pat Moore will take the reins as managing director of Brooks, where he will support current Brooks’ chief executive Kieran Burke for an interim period.

James Higgins, group CEO at MBM, said: “It’s an exciting time for us, and these appointments reflect that.

“Bolstering the senior team with two experienced managing directors will further enhance our focus on customers. Martin and Pat will ensure we can successfully drive all-island growth, look to the future and make smart and informed decisions based on the combined merchanting and commercial experience of our new senior leadership team – they have unrivalled industry experience and will drive the Group focus of exemplary customer service and being of value to our customers.”

Peter Kelly will take up a new role of group finance director, tasked with driving strategic growth through acquisition and within the existing 26 branches across Northern Ireland and the Republic.

And reflecting the focus on the key Dublin area market, Brendan Sammon will take on a new role of group regional director east, responsible for building on and driving growth through the eight merchanting branches currently operating in the greater Dublin region across both the MBM and Brooks brands.