MKM CEO Kate Tinsley has been awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her outstanding services to the construction sector and her commitment to promoting diversity within the industry.

Over 1,000 change-makers and innovators were recognised in HM The King’s Birthday 2024 Honours list, which was published by the Cabinet Office on Friday (June 14).

Ms Tinsley’s professional journey has been marked by a series of notable achievements and an unwavering dedication to advancing the construction sector. Starting her career as an Accountant with PwC and Deloitte, Kate progressed through various high-profile roles, including Finance and Operations Director of the Specialist Division at BSS Group, Finance Director and Managing Director and ultimately CEO of Buildbase in 2015.

After seven years at the Grafton Group, Kate made the leap back across the trade counter into manufacturing, when she joined Ibstock Plc. As Divisional Managing Director at Ibstock, Kate oversaw a litany of milestones for the business, including a significant rebrand and raft of new product launches, culminating in her appointment to the Plc Board, before taking the decision to re-join the merchant sector when she accepted the position of CEO with MKM.

Joining MKM in 2020, Kate brought her extensive experience to the UK’s proper independent builders’ merchant. Under her four-year stewardship, MKM has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme, growing to 129 branches nationwide. Her innovative approach and strategic vision have been instrumental in cementing MKM’s position as a leader in the industry.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms Tinsley is deeply passionate about football. A lifelong fan of Notts County, she has devoted significant time to promoting grassroots football, coaching various teams and contributing to the sport’s development. In 2017, Kate’s dedication to football was recognised with her appointment as a Senior Independent Director on the board of the Football Association (FA), where she continues to drive positive change at the highest levels of English football.

On the announcement of her OBE, she said, “It is a huge honour to be recognised alongside so many brilliant individuals. For me, this award doesn’t just reflect my personal efforts, but the efforts of countless others. The power of teamwork has been a constant theme in my career, and I’ve seen first-hand how the collective efforts of a team can achieve far more than the individual. I’m deeply passionate about what I do, and this recognition fuels my commitment to continue striving for excellence in the construction industry and promoting diversity more widely.”

David Kilburn, co-founder of MKM, expressed his admiration for his CEO, stating, “Kate is a strong advocate of developing and continuing MKM’s unique business model. She is a proven operator with a high-class reputation, and her leadership has been a major asset to our business, I’m delighted she has been recognised on a national level.”

Kate’s recognition with an OBE is a testament to her exceptional contributions to the construction industry and her efforts to enhance diversity within the sector and beyond. Her story, from her first job as a paper girl at age 11 to her current role as CEO of MKM, exemplifies the value of hard work and dedication.

As MKM Building Supplies continues to grow and innovate, Kate Tinsley remains at the helm, driving the company towards new heights and ensuring that both employees and customers receive the very best experience.