As we step into 2025, the construction industry continues to face a myriad of challenges. Economic and political uncertainties, the lingering effects of COVID-19, and a complex regulatory environment have made this decade anything but easy for businesses in the sector. Recognising these hardships, FIS is committed to supporting its members through this turbulent time.

We have created a review of 2024 and take a look ahead at what’s to come in 2025. We’ve highlighted new resources and benefits available to members and detail the initiatives and guidance that we are implementing to support members in 2025 and beyond.

FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee, said: “Running a business in construction in the 2020s is not for the faint-hearted.
“The challenges are indeed significant, with high levels of insolvency reflecting the seismic shifts within the industry. The recent failure of ISG underscores the urgency of addressing these systemic issues.
In response to these challenges, FIS has launched its manifesto, ‘A Blueprint for Better Construction’, which was presented to the new government. This document outlines a clear set of requests aimed at improving procurement processes and fostering a more stable investment climate within the supply chain. The manifesto not only serves as a guiding framework but also as a call to action for both government regulators and procuring authorities.

FIS’s “Responsible No” campaign further supports this initiative by empowering members to demand better practices in procurement. By uniting the community and identifying irresponsible requests, FIS is fostering a collective effort for change in the industry.

Additionally, FIS has continued to provide a steady flow of technical guidance in 2024, launching a new e-Learning Hub to improve accessibility to resources. They are actively addressing common compliance issues, providing solutions, and setting a standard approach, as evidenced by the FIS Walls as a System Guide. Their commitment extends to bolstering legal support with enhanced helplines and a subsidized contract and insurance review service.

Recognising the importance of insurance in construction, FIS has collaborated with the insurance sector to address concerns regarding contract amendments that could undermine professional indemnity insurance. This proactive approach highlights the organisation’s dedication to its members’ long-term stability and success.

Former FIS President Philip Brown emphasised the importance of advocating for SME contractors, stating that the Reading Report published in 2023 marked a turning point. FIS’s reputation as a technical authority is further solidified through academic research that provides a robust foundation for its advocacy efforts.

For those looking to delve deeper into these initiatives and understand how FIS is supporting its members in these challenging times, a detailed annual review is available.

We invite you to access this valuable resource to fully grasp the extent of FIS’s commitment and the tools at your disposal.

With the General Election called for the 4^th July, FIS wasn’t caught on the hop – we have already set down our core manifesto A Blueprint for Better Construction looking at how policy can support better procurement and contracting and help to improve investment in skills, innovation and net zero.

We are also calling for profound change in the education system and apprenticeship process. Currently we are failing our employers and young people and met in recent weeks with colleagues from across the sector and the current Government and Shadow Teams to discuss labour shortages and dwindling apprenticeship numbers.

FIS is urging all members to contact their local candidates (you can find their details here) and challenge them on how their party will support a sector that enables growth, delivers sustainability and provides employment for one in ten people in the UK.

We hope our document helps you to form you arguments and please feel free to copy FIS in to any communications or contact us for any support you need in this process.

We’re excited to reveal the shortlist for the 2024 FIS Contractors Awards – which promote and encourage high levels of craftsmanship in the finishes and interiors sector.

The awards showcase the very best of our industry and after months of project visits, our judges have determined their shortlist.

To see who made the shortlist click here

The winners in each category, along with the architect or interior designer of the winning project, will be announced in front of a packed audience at the FIS Awards Lunch on 6 June at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. The event is now sold out. If you would like to be added to the waiting list for tickets, email clairmooney@thefis.org

The standard of entries into this year’s Contractors Awards was extremely high, so we would like to congratulate all companies that entered.

 

As the full implication of the Building Safety Act and it’s impact on the wider Building Regulatory environment and commercial behaviours, FIS has updated its Product Process People Risk Register.  The aim is to provide members with a comprehensive Risk Register to support compliance and business improvement.

The FIS PPP Risk Register gives people a structured framework to interrogate project risk based on a assessment of severity and probability of a risk occurring.  The standard scoring system helps members to identify any unacceptable high risks and ensure management strategies are put in place to address.  The tool also helps a management team to assign risk correctly and contains a range of links to additional tools and information that will help support specific risk management.

FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:

“Risk is inescapable in any construction project, but at times we can feel so beset by risk that we become indifferent to it.  It is vital that as an industry we get better at measuring, managing and mitigating.

A large part of our work centres on identifying, interrogating and helping members to manage day to day problems they may encounter.  Our understanding and exposure to risk is constantly moving and evolving and it is critical we adopt a consistent approach to risk management.

This simple tool is built on collective wisdom, lessons learned and understanding gained through our wider work that ensures members are alert to where problems may appear.  It aims to help people to score and priorise risks and to start the necessary focus on mitigation, linking the user to the vast array of tools available to our members, directly through the FIS and our wider network.  The underlying principle is that the school of hard knocks is fine, but it is better to learn together and avoid learning the hard way wherever possible.”

Richard Brackstone Chief Executive of RB Management and Consulting Ltd who supported FIS in this update added:

“This is a really useful tool and one I would urge all members to work through, it is comprehensive and accessible.  Construction is fast and furious and risk is all around us, and it is tempting to bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best.  But, ultimately, success in construction is entirely dependent on how well we manage that inherent risk.  This list provides a focal point to conduct a review and at the very least serves as a helpful reminder”.

The FIS PPP Risk Register is available for members to download here

RB Management and Consulting Limited provide specialist Risk Management Support for FIS Members