BCF CEO Tom Bowtell is Honored for Outstanding Leadership

Tom Bowtell, CEO of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), was awarded the highly contested CEO Leadership Award at the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards in London on Sept. 27.

The award is given to a CEO who, in the opinion of the judges, “has delivered outstanding leadership and has shown how their organisation has advanced under their leadership.” Bowtell’s success follows BCF winning the Best Trade Association Award at last year’s Memcom Excellence Awards.

Since taking over as CEO of the BCF in 2012, Bowtell has had a major impact on the organization, initiating changes and improvements for the benefit of the UK coatings sector.  In the 12 years of his tenure to date, he has driven leadership within the industry, delivered outstanding service for the members, and created a friendly, collaborative team atmosphere for employees to thrive in.

Bowtell’s influence on financial planning and management has created a solid base from which new initiatives for the benefit of the members can be launched. This has substantially increased BCF’s membership as a result, leading to membership retention levels of 96% in 2023 and, significantly, 100% in 2022, the period on the back of COVID-19 and Brexit.

This financial position has also allowed BCF to increase campaigning efforts, most recently through the Essential Coatings campaign, which is contributing to building awareness of the sector with government and gives coatings better representation when tackling key issues within the chemical supply chain.

Bowtell has also been the key driver in shaping a more forward-thinking approach for the sector, most notably in the areas of sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and in engagement with the next generation of leaders in the industry.

This progress can be measured, in part, through the launch of BCF’s Net Zero Roadmap in 2023, and the launch in 2024 of an industry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter, together with the creation of a Coatings NextGen Council.

Bowtell is a recognisable figure not only in the UK coatings industry but also throughout the supply chain. He is the current chair of the Alliance of Chemical Associations (ACA) in the UK; a member of the CEPE Operational Board at a European level; and is in his second consecutive term as president of the World Coatings Council.

In addition to Bowtell’s win, the BCF was also ‘Highly Commended’ for the Memcom ‘Sustainability Award’ at the event, recognizing the efforts of the organization on its Road to Net Zero publication, leading the way on the industry-wide commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050 and supporting its members on the journey. They were also shortlisted for awards for Best Use of Video and Team of the Year.
 
“I’m really honored to have won the Memcom CEO Leadership award,” said Bowtell. “Thanks to the wonderful team at the BCF for nominating me – the art of good leadership is to surround yourself with very talented people who make you look good. The award is a recognition of that wider teamwork and the success we have had as a group working to deliver for BCF’s members. That was why I was so pleased we were also shortlisted for Team of the Year.

“At the end of the day, we are a membership organization and everything we do must be focused on the membership and their needs. That forms the basis of our approach at BCF and, together with genuine, honest, and meaningful collaboration with members themselves, has helped lead to significant success and progress in recent years.”

“Tom is a worthy winner, showing a breadth of competence across all areas,” the judges noted. “His approach to finance and governance has left the BCF financially secure but this ‘quiet revolution’ was not just about processes but about creating a sound base for the delivery of more benefits to members. The BCF’s retention rates and membership satisfaction are a testament to the success of his approach. After 12 years as CEO Tom is still leading and inspiring his team and innovating for the future.”