New CEO appointed as members elect their representatives for the year ahead, with Justin Devaney taking up the Presidency for a two-year term.
FIS is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Gawor as its new Chief Executive Officer from January 2027, alongside the newly elected Board of Directors, following a member vote to elect representatives who will help shape the direction of the organisation over the coming year.
The appointment of a new CEO marks an important chapter for FIS as it continues to champion the finishes and interiors sector, support its members and respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Working closely with the Board and FIS Team, Helen will lead the organisation in delivering on its strategic objectives, working collaboratively to represent members, address industry challenges and support a stronger future for the sector.
Speaking of her appointment, Helen said:
“FIS has established itself as a strong and respected voice for the sector, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to build on that work.
“Our members deliver quality every day, often in challenging market conditions and under commercial pressure. My priority will be to support them in building resilient businesses, demonstrating their value and competence, and turning this into real competitive advantage.
“We will continue to champion the interests of our members, working with government, clients and the wider industry to drive fairer procurement, contract and payment practices. These are fundamental to improving productivity, raising standards and creating a stronger, more sustainable sector.
“I’m grateful to the Board for their confidence in me and look forward to working with the FIS team and our members to build on the strong foundations Iain has built”.
This year also marks a changeover of Presidency, with Justin Devaney of FIS Contractor Member Platt & Reilly taking up the role for a two-year term with Lucia Di Stazio stepping into the role of Vice President. These appointments come at an important time for the sector, with FIS firmly focused on supporting its members through the challenges ahead, helping them build resilience, strengthen their businesses and be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities as the sector recovers.
The election gives FIS members an important opportunity to have their say in the leadership of the organisation, ensuring that the Board reflects the views, priorities and interests of the membership. The newly elected Directors will play a key role in guiding the work of FIS, supporting its members and helping the organisation continue to champion competence, collaboration and technical best practice across the sector.
The elected contractor candidates are:
Mick Dillon – OCL Facades
Andrew Measom – Measom Dryline
Hamanvir Manak – Stanmore
And the elected supplier candidates are:
Sharon Baker – Avonside Supplies
Richard Mason – Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions – British Gypsum
Craig Newman – CCF
These individuals will join existing Board members, Justin Devaney – FIS President (Platt and Reilly), Lucia Di Stazio – FIS Vice President (Encon Group), Ian Strangward – FIS Immediate Past President (Architectural Wallsz), Jim Brennan (Nova Plasterboard Systems), Richard Grimes (Grimes Finishings) and Elizabeth McDermott (QuickFix Profiles).
FIS would like to thank all members who took the time to participate in the vote, as well as everyone who put themselves forward for election. Member engagement is vital to ensuring that FIS continues to represent the breadth and diversity of businesses and professionals working across the sector.