Lawsons is the UK’s largest independent supplier of timber, building, fencing, and landscape supplies.
Founded in 1921, we are a business controlled by a Non-Family Employee Benefit Trust with over 100 years of experience, 35 branches, 750 employees, and an annual turnover of £175 million, operating across London and the South East of England.
As we continue to grow and invest in our people, we are looking for ambitious graduates to join our family and develop into the future leaders of our business.
Our two-year Graduate Future Leaders Programme is designed to give you a 360-degree understanding of our business through hands-on experience, formal training, mentoring, and real responsibility.
The Programme
From day one, you’ll be based at one of our key branches and gain practical experience across the business, including:
Yard & Operations – Learn about our products, branch operations, logistics, and customer deliveries. You’ll also have the opportunity to obtain your Forklift Truck licence.
Sales & Customer Service – Develop your commercial awareness and sales skills through counter sales, telesales, and customer relationship management.
Finance & Commercial Awareness – Develop your understanding of profitability, costs, and commercial decision-making.
Health & Safety – Complete IOSH safety training and learn how to maintain a safe working environment.
Wider Business Exposure – Gain insight into support functions including Finance, IT, HR, Marketing, External Sales, Group Transport, and Purchasing.
You’ll also complete a business-based project, giving you the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the business and present your findings and recommendations to the Lawsons Group Board of Directors.
Could You Be a Future Leader?
We’re looking for graduates who are ambitious, curious, resilient and ready to get stuck in.
You’ll need:
To be able to start in September 2027, though some paid pre-work experience may be available before the programme starts.
A minimum 2:2 honours degree in any STEM discipline, graduating in Summer 2027 or prior.
A strong interest in building a career in leadership and business.
A customer-focused and commercial mindset.
Integrity, drive, ambition, and discretion.
Leadership and entrepreneurial potential.
An interest in the builders’ merchant and construction sector.
A full UK driving licence.
Flexibility to travel between branches and attend training and development sessions.
The confidence and resilience to embrace a hands-on, intensive development programme.
We’re not looking for someone who simply wants a graduate job. We’re looking for someone who wants to become a future leader.
Your Development
Throughout the programme, you’ll receive:
An experienced mentor and regular development conversations.
A structured two-year development programme
Accredited training, mentoring, and professional development.
A Management Diploma.
Exposure to senior leaders across the Lawsons Group.
Opportunities to work on projects with real business impact.
A structured pathway towards future management and leadership opportunities.
What We Offer
Competitive starting salary (£32,000), with a salary review ahead of Year 2.
25 days' annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays, and an additional Celebration Day in the month of your birthday.
Company pension scheme.
Employee Assistance Programme.
Cycle to work scheme, with a loan of up to £1,000 to buy a bike.
Life assurance.
'MyReward' benefits platform - includes retail discounts and an online GP service.
Specsavers eye care vouchers.
Why Lawsons?
100+ years of history. A future full of opportunity.
At Lawsons, you’ll learn our business from the ground up - understanding our customers, products, people, and branches before developing your management and leadership skills.
You’ll be given the opportunity to learn, contribute, take on responsibility, and build a long-term career within a growing, family-run business.
Our Application Process
We want to get to know you throughout the recruitment process. The stages are:
Apply - Submit an online application for our graduate programme.
Telephone Interview - An initial conversation to learn more about you, your experience, and your interest in the programme.
Team Interview - Meet members of the Lawsons team and explore your suitability for the programme in more detail.
Assessment Day - Our final stage will be an in-person Assessment Day, giving you the opportunity to meet more of the team and demonstrate your skills, potential, and approach.
Ready to build your future with Lawsons? Apply now...
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