Barbour ABI Specialist Interiors Hub

Barbour ABI Specialist Interiors Hub

FIS has partnered with Barbour ABI to extend its reach, educate and take our content directly to specifiers and building designers.  This also enables members to extend their presence on Barbour ABI through the FIS Specialist Interiors Hub and access discounts on core services available from Barbour ABI. FIS regularly shares content from its online platform SpecFinish which is added to the Specialist Interiors Hub.
FIS seeks mandate for next Government

FIS seeks mandate for next Government

With Rt Hon Jeremey Hunt MP having set out his stall for what could well be his last time as Chancellor, FIS has issued to their community the first part of the FIS Manifesto, A Blueprint for Better Construction: Delivering Change in the Finishes and Interiors Sector.

This document, the first in a series of three policy documents sets down FIS views on near- and long-term policy levers that will support transformation in the sector.  The Manifesto draws heavily on recent research with the University of Reading on Procurement and Contracting, It is less focussed on the macro-economic picture than the Chancellor’s Budget, instead zoning in on the pressing business challenges which beset the specialist construction sector set against four key headings.

  • Public Sector Procurement reform led by a more ambitious Construction Playbook.  This needs to be backed by a consistent effort to measure outcomes.
  • Eliminate unreasonable risk transfer by enforcing standard form contracts that are aligned with supply chain insurance.
  • Revisit the Construction Act to simplify payment, reform retention and extend enforcement powers.
  • UK Construction Products Marking rules must be aligned to those for other products to support investment in new testing.

Commenting on the launch of this document, FIS President Philip Brown stated:

“This document draws together a lot of work that the FIS team has been doing through our daily engagement with members.  For an organisation to have a strong voice, it must carry a strong mandate and this is what we are seeking here.  We have a unique opportunity with Building Regulatory Change and an awakening on Sustainability already adding momentum to transformation.  Now is the time to rally the construction voice, to unite our community around a number of key simple statements.  The main focus is Policy levers, but it should complement our “Empowering the Responsible No” campaign highlighting areas where clients, including Government have unreasonable and damaging expectations that are ultimately undermining the sector.”

FIS CEO Iain McIlwee added:

“It is important to note that we are not sending this out as a fait accompli but playing back what we have learned from our research and wider engagement with members.  The essence of this document is simple and at risk of repeating requests of the past, but the reality is that there is at a basic level, I believe an understanding and realisation of the key things that do need to change.  We need to get on top of the design development process to deliver safety reform, this needs early supply chain involvement – there is a big gap between the Plan of Works and the Work!   If we want businesses to invest we need to create an environment that allows and rewards this.  None of it is rocket science.  My hope in this document is that we are moving beyond the who, what and when and starting to get into the why and how.  We welcome all comments and will listen, reflect and absorb before we finalise.  FIS provides a voice for the sector and this is about opening our ears before we start using our lungs!”

The draft manifesto is available to download here.

Unlock the door to a career in construction

Unlock the door to a career in construction

FIS is looking for members in London to provide support for individuals that have undertaken an introduction course for Interior Systems. The course is taking place in April, so if you can offer a work trial, work experience, or employment then please contact FIS Head of Skills and Training, Beena Nana beenanana@thefis.org before the end of March for more details.

Background
The Skills Centre London are putting together a four-week introduction to Interior Systems in London, in collaboration with FIS and Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

Individuals will be provided with the following training:

  • Green Labourers CSCS card
  • Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
  • Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction (including Plastering Techniques)
  • First Steps into Construction
  • Personal Wellbeing in Construction
  • Introducing Environmental Awareness and Sustainability
  • Practical skills training in our training environment
  • Work experience with an interior systems employer
  • Employability skills, mock interviews, CV support and career information, advice and guidance

A graduation ceremony will held at Plaisterers Hall on Monday 29 April, for both the candidates and members.

More information on the course is available here.

Construction quality improvement – contractors design portion survey

Construction quality improvement – contractors design portion survey

Supported by FIS, the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) in Scotland is conducting research into Contractor Design Portions (CDPs).  The use of CDP has grown over the years, and we know that its use can create challenges (this was a major issue raised in our work with the University of Reading last year).

This survey will give an insight into why and how it is used and how its use can be improved. The survey information will be analysed and will allow the development of guidance that will support the sector to use CDP in a manner that will contribute to the construction quality outcomes we are all striving for. 

The link to the survey is: CQIC – CDP Working Group

We would urge all those involved in the sector to take the time to contribute to this important piece of research which will bring benefits to us all – the deadline for the survey is 15 March 2024.  Please do forward this too, to any construction colleagues (the aim is to gather information from all parts of the supply chain and it is not limited to the finishes and interiors sector).  We have a real opportunity to use the data to make a difference, but the validity and power of the data will be dependent on the level of response.

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Iain McIlwee on iainmcilwee@thefis.org

Celebrating innovation in the finishes and interiors sector

Celebrating innovation in the finishes and interiors sector

FIS announced the winners of its 2024 Innovation Awards at a ceremony held at is Conference in London on 27 February.

In front of a packed audience at the Business Design Centre, the winners of the FIS Innovation Awards were announced and presented. The Awards recognise and celebrate innovation in the finishes and interiors sector showcasing companies that are paving the way for greater efficiency and collaboration. The awards comprised four categories: Product Fit-Out, Product FF&E, Digital and Sustainability.

All entries were independently assessed by a panel of expert judges and the winner of each category was announced in front of a live audience. The winner of each category was then invited to deliver a short pitch on their innovation to the audience, who then determined the overall 2024 Innovation of the Year winner.

The 2024 award winners are:

Innovation of the Year
IOBAC UK for its contamination free flooring installation tabs

Digital
PlanRadar for its SaaS field management platfor, PlanRadar

Product – Fit Out
Fire Stop Products for SpeedCutter

Product – FF&E
Box Strap for its Box Strap bracket

Sustainability
IOBAC UK for its contamination free flooring installation tabs

The awards and event were supported by sponsors Troldtekt, Protektor, EPD Insulation Group, Canary Wharf Contractors and SpecFinish

Find out more about the winners and shortlist across all four categories.

Less than one week to go until the Workspace Design Show opens its doors

Less than one week to go until the Workspace Design Show opens its doors

In just a few days the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, a leading trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doors. Held at London’s Business Design Centre, handily placed in the heart of Islington, from 27-28 February 2024, the event offers attendees the chance to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes.

This year’s extensive speaker programme has over 120 speakers across four key elements of discourse. The Workspace Design Talks programme, will feature inspiring sessions from leading industry professionals over the event’s two days. Speakers include Alan Bainbridge, Director of Workplace, BBC; Yasmin Al-Ani Spence, Director, WilkinsonEyre; Mary-Louise Gray, VP Workplace, Real Estate and Facilities, GSK; and Naomi Sakamoto, Principal Studio Director, Gensler. Topics covered include designing a workspace that meets cross generational needs, the hotelification of the office, using AI in workplace design and the evolution of workplace design through the eyes of next gen architects.

The FIS Conference, taking place on 27-28 February, will explore productivity, quality, compliance and sustainability issues in the fit-out sector, with leading speakers from among others tp bennett, MCM, Claremont, ISG, British Land and Turner & Townsend.

Sustainability Works, curated by Mick Jordan, Editor of Works magazine, returns for 2024 and is held on 27 February, once again bringing together a selection of key figures from firms such as Perkins&Will, Scott Brownrigg, BDG architecture and design and M Moser Associates, who are behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives and projects. The Occupiers Forum, held on 28 February, offers the complete ‘The View from HQ’. Located in the Insights Lounge, it will provide unique insights from occupiers such as BT Group, HSBC, Clifford Chance, Salesforce and Barclays into what employers are doing to create an engaging workplace experience.

2024’s features represent an incredible spectacle for attendees of the Show, all seeking inspiration from the overarching show theme ‘Bloom – Exploring the Thriving Ecosystem of Work Life’. There will be an array of captivating features such as the Design Talks Lounge by Gensler, the Entrance by tp bennett, the Insights Lounge by BDP, a Living Workplace lighting installation by Jason Bruges Studio, and the Recharge Lounge M Moser Associates,

Once again, FIS will host its awards at the Workspace Design Show. These will celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge innovations that define the finishes and interiors sector. With a spotlight on revolutionary materials, exceptional design techniques, and sustainability breakthroughs, the FIS Innovation Awards serve as a showcase of the industry’s finest achievements.

As the sun sets on the first day of the show, the Workspace Design Show invites attendees to party and socialise into the rest of the evening. This exclusive event is the perfect opportunity to unwind, network, and celebrate. The party kicks off immediately after the day’s activities from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, completely transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection.

This year will bring the exciting mood board contest area designed by MF Design Studio. The unique scheme runs parallel with a blooming tree; MF Design Studio have created an environment for the mood board contest to engage participants, to experience the world of workplace design through a personal exploration of materials, textures and colours. Their use of colour represents our diversity and how they approach design in an individual yet collaborative way, bold lines bloom into curves that define the different palettes. Using all sustainable materials to inspire designers to create a more sustainable future.  The contest allows attendees to create their own stunning mood boards, which they can then submit as their entry to the contest.

Exhibitors from over 20 countries will be showcasing innovative and transformational workplace interiors products during the event. The workplace world descends on London for the two days of Workplace Design Show from Pedrali and Lapalma from Italy, Spain’s Kettal and Actiu, Modulyss from Belgium and Woven image all the way from Australia, plus many more.

Workspace Design Show will be the place in London for architects, designers, occupiers, developers, consultants, coworking companies and fit-out companies to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes.

Register now for a complimentary pass and attend the Workspace Design Show