by Clair Mooney | 24 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
In response to the Government’s consultation on tackling late payment and retention in the construction sector, FIS has submitted its formal response on the package of proposed legislative measures to address late, long and disputed business to business payments.
A copy of our collective response is available here.
Commenting on the response, FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:
“For decades, FIS has fought tirelessly to expose and dismantle the broken payment and retention practices that plague the construction sector. Drawing on powerful evidence from the Reading Report and direct member testimony, FIS response paints a stark picture: specialist contractors are routinely forced to finance projects upfront, endure months without payment, confronted by routine undervaluation and weaponisation of cash flow issues and suffer devastating losses when retention monies vanish due to insolvency. The current system is adversarial, opaque, and punishes the very businesses that build our spaces. It undermines investment and impairs modernissation.
FIS supports bold reform—mandatory 60-day payment terms, statutory interest on late payments, and the abolition or protection of retention funds.
The message is clear: enough is enough. Reform is not optional—it is essential to protect livelihoods, restore trust, and unlock the full potential of UK construction.”
The consultation acknowledged that late payment costs the UK economy almost £11 billion per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day. The proposed package of measures are claimed to be the most significant attempt to address late, long and disputed business to business (B2B) payments in over 25 years. They aim to improve cash flow through supply chains and support small businesses with payment disputes. There are also specific proposals referring to the use of retention clauses within construction contracts.
The consultation outcome will be published within 12 weeks of the close of the consultation, or an explanation will be published if this is not possible.
by Oscar Venus | 24 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced that EU-REACH registration fees will rise by 19.5% from 5 November 2025, in line with cumulative inflation rates from 2021 to 2023. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will continue to be exempt from these fee increases.
In addition, from 5 February 2027, ECHA will introduce a new advance SME verification process. Under the new system, companies claiming SME fee reductions must apply for official recognition at least two months before submitting their registration. ECHA’s verification decisions will remain valid for three years.
FIS members are advised to review their REACH compliance processes ahead of these deadlines to ensure smooth transition and avoid potential registration delays.
See full details here
by Clair Mooney | 24 Oct, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Main News Feed
FIS has proudly become the first trade association in the UK to be awarded Gold Status by the Conflict Avoidance Coalition (CAC), marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey in encouraging a more collaborative and responsible approach to contracting.
The Gold Status recognises FIS’s outstanding commitment to promoting early intervention, fairer contractual practices, and the adoption of the Conflict Avoidance Pledge across its membership and wider industry networks. This accolade reflects years of proactive leadership, advocacy, and practical support for dispute avoidance mechanisms that reduce the financial and emotional toll of adversarial conflict in construction.
Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS, commented:
“This recognition is not just a badge—it’s a reflection of our values and the culture we are building across the finishes and interiors sector. Conflict avoidance is about protecting relationships, improving project outcomes, and ultimately driving profitability by reducing unnecessary legal costs. Our Responsible No campaign is all about leading by example and through this we will continue to champion collaborative working and early resolution.”
The Conflict Avoidance Coalition, supported by leading industry bodies including RICS, ICE, and CIArb, aims to transform the way disputes are managed in construction and engineering. By awarding Gold Status, the Coalition acknowledges FIS’s role in embedding the principles of the Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP) and encouraging widespread adoption of the Conflict Avoidance Clause in contracts.
Len Bunton, President of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition added:
“It is very encouraging to see that FIS has been awarded Gold Status Partner by the Conflict Avoidance Coalition. I have been working with Iain McIlwee the CEO of FIS, for a number of years, on various matters and FIS has grasped the nettle in embedding CAP into its philosophes and in encouraging so many member companies to sign the Pledge. We now need other trade organisations to join this campaign of collaboration and Best Practice to prevent issues on projects escalating into costly and time-consuming construction disputes”.
FIS continues to work closely with its members, offering simplified contracts, contract reviews, guidance, training, and resources to support the implementation of conflict avoidance strategies. This includes promoting the use of standardised contracts, early intervention techniques, and opportunities to work in a clearer and more collaborative way throughout the supply chain.
For more information about FIS and its work with the Conflict Avoidance Coalition, visit www.thefis.org/no
by Oscar Venus | 21 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
If your business operates in the low and mid-rise housing sector, this is an important opportunity to make your voice heard.
In response to concerns raised by members, the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has commissioned the University of Reading and Barbour ABI to carry out research into how current supply chain management practices are affecting investment, productivity, and mental health across the sector.
The study will explore how procurement, contracting, and delivery methods impact productivity and skills development within the supply chain – vital insights to inform government as it works towards delivering 1.5 million new homes.
As part of this work, we are asking businesses to complete a short anonymous survey covering:
The survey is open until 5pm, Monday 3 November 2025.
Take the questionnaire
Please complete the survey yourself or share it with the most relevant person in your organisation. We also encourage you to pass it on to other specialist contractors – the more responses we gather, the stronger and more valuable the research will be.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
Thanks to all who supported the FIS Conference yesterday in London. It was a really interesting day with insights from leaders and professionals across the fit-out, finishes, and interiors supply chain. It was a great opportunity to look (collectively as a supply chain) at some of the key opportunities and challenges that we face and how collaboration really is key for driving change for the better.
At our AGM that followed, FIS President Ian Strangward, Managing Director of contractor member Architectural Wallsz, announced the results of the 2025 Board Elections.
Joining the Board from 16 October as executive directors are: Jim Brennan of Nova Plasterboard Systems and Richard Grimes of Grimes Finishings, both contractor members of FIS, and Liz McDermott of QuickFix Profiles a supplier member of FIS.
We want to thank all those that took the time to stand for election, your support of FIS is hugely appreciated. We have a strong team and Board of directors who will ensure that FIS continues to be member led and is making a difference for individual members and the sector as a whole.
The day culminated in a drinks reception, generously supported by Nevill Long, to celebrate 10 years of FIS. Thanks to everyone who joined us.
Thanks to our event sponsors, Gypsum Products Association, Nevill Long and SpecFinish Magazine.
The official minutes of the AGM are available to FIS members to download here.
by Oscar Venus | 16 Oct, 2025 | Main News Feed
It’s World Menopause Day this Saturday 18 October which aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the support available for women going through it. Employees of menopausal age are the fastest growing workplace demographic in the UK, and Build UK’s template Menopause Policy, produced by Citation, can be used by members to help provide an inclusive and supportive working environment for employees experiencing menopausal symptoms and their colleagues.
Members can get involved this #WorldMenopauseDay by reviewing their policy and the support they provide, as well as sharing information on social media.
