On Tuesday 6 February 2018, FIS held the President’s Lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall in London. Over 300 members and guests attended the lunch where the new FIS President, Andrew Smith, addressed the audience: “Compliance and competence are going to be increasingly important in the coming years and FIS has invested in a skills team to help deliver a competent workforce for the sector – and to help FIS members get full value from the Levy. This programme is called Fit-Out Futures and the President’s Lunch provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate some of the successes to date; the Fit-Out Futures Awards.”
Before lunch was served, the first three category winners were announced:
Outstanding Employee – John Ramsey, a Project Supervisor at Brian Hendry Interiors
Future Leader – Stephen Reynolds, a ceilings category manager at SIG
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CCF) – Sean Dooner, an apprentice dryliner at MPG Contracts. The runner-up was Conor Bartram, an Apprentice Trainee Site Manager at Pexhurst Services.
Representatives from the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) were in attendance to collect £2,635 raised in the prize draw. The first prize, sponsored by Etex Building Performance, was a round of Golf for four at Castle Combe Golf Club in Wiltshire. The winner was Steve Smith. Second prize was a Cartwright and Butler hamper donated by Minster, won by Helen Tapper. The third prize was a Champagne gift box donated by Horbury Group, won by James Evans. SIG donated two tickets (including pre-show hospitality) for any show at the Genting Arena; the winner was Lydia Sharples. Finally, Donseed Ltd donated a bottle of Champagne for the winner of the Business Card draw – Andy Mahoney from Taylor Hart.
Comedian Ian Stone provided the after-lunch entertainment. A stand-up comedian, broadcaster and writer, Ian is famous for appearing as a guest on shows such as the comedy panel show Mock the Week. He is also a regular guest on BBC Radio 5’s Fighting Talk.
David Frise, CEO of FIS, returned to the stage to present the final award of the day, the ‘Lifetime Achievement‘. Recently retired after 20 years service with Taylor Hart, the trophy went to Phil Taylor. Photos from the day have been uploaded to our Facebook page; the winners’ videos will be available on the FIS YouTube Channel very soon.
Congratulations to all the winners, we look forward to awarding more ‘Fit-Out Futures’ in 2019!
