The 1840 Podcast, taking a look at all things relating to Howarth Timber & Building Supplies and the merchanting industry. We'll catch up with staff, suppliers, customers and hear all of the stories that make Howarth your merchant of choice. Get involved and let us know your thoughts.
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EPISODE 16
The language of colours in behavioural science
Host: Gavin Knowles
Guest: Anjie Carless
Anjie Carless from Cortex Training explores the language of colour using the Insights Discovery tool. By understanding colour energies, Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue - you can improve communication with customers, colleagues, and even family. Which colour are you?
EPISODE 15
Attracting the Next Generation to Careers in Construction
Host: Alix Maude
Guest: Ginny Brown
Ginny Brown, Regional Sales Manager at Restec Roofing Systems, shares how to inspire young people to choose construction, reflecting on her own career switch and efforts to promote the trade in schools.
EPISODE 14
Plumbing & Heating
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: John Houston, Matt Binney & Simon Parker
This episode covers the rise of Plumbing & Heating at HTBS and the Builders vs. Plumber’s Merchant debate, featuring insights from John Houston, Matt Binney, and Simon Parker.
EPISODE 13
What is Behavioural Science?
Host: Gavin Knowles
Guest: James Ballinger
Supermarkets use the smell of fresh bread in aisles to tempt customers. James Ballinger from the Behavioural Agency explains how businesses use behavioural science and customer biases to influence our actions.
EPISODE 12
A Day In The Life of a BM
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Tom Howe and Hayley Parker
With roots dating back to 1840 and decades of experience within our team, we’re proud of our legacy. Now, rising leaders like Hayley and Tom - both BMF Diploma graduates - are helping inspire the next generation in this well-established industry.
EPISODE 11
History of IT in HTBS 1987-2025
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Paul Cornford & Jonathan Read
Paul and Jonathan look back on how IT has transformed since 1987, from pre-internet days to rolling out PCs across branches and adapting to new systems over time.
EPISODE 10
Supplier-Merchant relationships
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guest: Ben Jewell
In this episode, Paul Bullivant talks with Ben Jewell, Northern Regional Manager at Holcim, about landscaping season, supplier-merchant relationships, and social media's negative impact on children.
EPISODE 9
Branch Spotlight - Wakefield
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Martyn Hughes & Steve Baxter
A Spotlight on our Wakefield branch - hear the real story from the Branch Manager and the Building Materials Manager.
EPISODE 8
Customer focus with CatioKing
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guest: Chris Allen
Chris shares his journey from serving in the army to launching a business crafting bespoke timber cat enclosures, and how he navigated that transition. He also highlights the crucial role social media plays in promoting his business.
EPISODE 7
Women In Merchanting Part 2
Host: Alix Maude
Guests: Rebecca Hughes & Lauren De Meester
Part 2 of our International Women's Day episodes, Talasey's Rebecca Hughes & Soudal's Lauren De Meester talk about what it's really like to be a woman working in a male dominated industry.
EPISODE 6
Women In Merchanting Part 1
Host: Danielle Boyle
Guests: Ashley Rice & Alice Stafford
Part 1 of our International Women's Day episodes, Assistant Branch Managers Ashley Rice & Alice Stafford talk about what it's really like to be a woman working in a male dominated industry.
EPISODE 5
Branch Spotlight - Enfield
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Aron Ford & Adrian Kaczor
A Spotlight on our Enfield branch - hear the real story from the Branch Manager and the Regional Manager.
EPISODE 4
A day in the life
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Cameron Reid & Rob Bailey
Join our newest Regional Managers, Cameron Reid and Rob Bailey, as they share a day in their lives and reflect on the challenges of transitioning from Branch Manager to Regional Manager.
EPISODE 3
The history of Howarth
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guest: Nick Howarth
Learn the story behind Howarth Timber & Building Supplies and its history, straight from our Managing Director, Nick Howarth.
EPISODE 2
Branch Spotlight - Oldham
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Jang Yunis & Paul Fearns
A Spotlight on our Oldham branch—hear the real story from the Branch Manager and the new Sales Executive.
EPISODE 1
Welcome to the 1840 Podcast
Host: Paul Bullivant
Guests: Gavin Knowles & Stephen Hudson
Why would a builder’s merchant start a podcast? And who would even want to listen? In this episode, we share the story behind the podcast, and most importantly, our ‘why.’
