FIS has submitted its response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Call for Evidence on the Strategy for Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations.

In our response, which you can view here, FIS asserted that competence is not only a matter of individual skill or organisational capability, it is a condition created or undermined by how projects are procured, contracted, programmed and governed. Procurement is the control point at which our sector’s four core risks – design, time, cost and cash – are either managed or passed downstream to those least able to control them. The Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative reaches the same conclusion independently, ranking lowest-price procurement and procurement routes as the top two barriers to improving specialist design.

Our priorities, with the questions where each is argued:

• Procurement is the lever. Route, appointment timing, scope and risk allocation decide whether competence can be exercised at all. Put the procurement record, contract and a live Design Responsibility Matrix in the Golden Thread, and use the Procurement Act 2023 to enforce uptake of the Construction Playbook (Q6, Q12, Q16, Q23).
• Fix the design development process. Stages should be evidence-based decision points, not vague milestones, with detail classified as confirmed, nominal or unresolved. 51% of CQIC respondents disagree that design responsibilities are clearly defined (Q23, Q31, Q33).
• Post-award price reduction strips investment out of projects. Around two-thirds of specialists are asked to cut price after appointment. Those cuts come out of supervision, out of value engineering the system, or out of the labour rate — rarely out of margin (Q33, Q38).
• Treat payment as a competence measure. Specialists extend 60–78 days of credit to larger clients; retentions are never released on time for 65% working with national housebuilders. Firms that cannot forecast cash cannot invest in supervision, training or evidence (Q38).
• Training is an absorption problem.  Short-notice pipeline, aggressive procurement and poor payment practices remove the return on investment required and force companies to use more contingent labour (Q76).

The full FIS response, which is available here, provides the detailed evidence, recommendations and supporting data behind these positions.

Skills Minister thanks construction industry for its role in shaping apprenticeship reform

The construction industry’s voice is being heard as government moves forward with reforms to apprenticeship assessment, with the Skills Minister recognising the sector’s contribution to shaping how the changes will work in practice.

In a letter to members of the Construction Coalition and Skills England’s Construction Taskforce, the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern thanked industry representatives for their “invaluable and constructive contributions” to the implementation of Apprenticeship Assessment Reform across the Construction & Built Environment sector.

The Minister highlighted the important role industry has played in identifying the challenges created by significant changes to apprenticeship assessment, advocating for action and, crucially, co-developing solutions with Skills England.

She said this collaboration has helped ensure that the requirements of industry are secured alongside the benefits of reform, with a shared focus on streamlining unnecessary complexity while maintaining confidence among employers and learners in training and assessment for safety-critical occupations.

The letter is a clear recognition that successful reform cannot be designed by government alone. The expertise and experience of employers and industry bodies have been central to testing proposals and identifying practical solutions that work for the construction sector.

Beena Nana, FIS Head of Skills and Training welcomed the progress:

“It is encouraging to see industry being genuinely listened to and involved in shaping this important work. We have worked closely with our members and Skills England to ensure the approach is practical and reflects the needs of employers, while maintaining the high standards and competence expected across our sector.”

The Minister also noted that the contributions from the Construction Coalition and Construction Taskforce have helped ensure reforms support the continued competence of the workforce and maintain employers’ confidence that apprenticeships produce people able to work safely, effectively and to the high professional standards expected across the sector.

With the current round of test cases now almost complete, the lessons learned will help inform assessment plans across other apprenticeships.

Baroness Smith concluded by stressing that successful apprenticeships depend on strong collaboration between industry, training providers, assessment organisations and government.

For the construction sector, the message is encouraging: industry has been listened to, its concerns have helped shape the approach, and its expertise is influencing the next stage of apprenticeship reform.

The work now is to build on that collaboration and ensure the final reforms deliver for employers, apprentices and the wider economy.

Following recent announcements, FIS welcomes the Prime Minister’s recognition that there should be no hierarchy between academic and technical education, and that young people should have the freedom to choose the route that best suits their ambitions and strengths. For construction, apprenticeships and skilled trades offer a valuable pathway into rewarding careers, combining practical experience, recognised qualifications and the opportunity to build a long term career in a vital industry.

The Government is backing that ambition by investing in more opportunities for young people closer to home. By expanding access to colleges, apprenticeships, technical training and high-quality work experience, we can help young people develop the skills employers need while creating stronger local economies. This means making sure young people have access to the opportunities they need without having to move away from their families and communities.

Stronger links between education providers and local businesses will also help create a clearer pathway from education into good, skilled jobs. By bringing employers closer to schools, colleges and training providers, young people can gain practical experience, understand the opportunities available to them and develop the skills needed to build successful careers. At the same time, local businesses benefit from a stronger pipeline of home-grown talent.

For too long, where someone lives or the type of education they choose has shaped the opportunities available to them. This approach is about changing, giving young people more choice, more practical opportunities and a stronger start in their working lives. Success does not look the same for everyone, but every young person should have the chance to build a fulfilling career and a secure future, whether their journey begins in a lecture theatre, a college workshop or on the job.

For more information on career routes into the sector contact FIS Head of Skills and Training Beena Nana or FIS Skills and Training Advisor Marie Flinter.

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Research reveals a significant gap between what councils think local suppliers need and what small businesses say would help them win public sector work.

A new best practice guide is urging councils across England to rethink how they engage with local businesses and voluntary organisations, arguing that outdated procurement practices continue to exclude the very organisations best placed to deliver economic growth, social value and resilient local services.

Published by Local Government East and developed in partnership with local authorities and procurement leaders, Building a Local Business and Voluntary Sector Friendly Council provides practical guidance to help councils attract, engage and retain more small and micro businesses within their supply chains.

The publication comes at a time of increasing national focus on local economic growth, community wealth building and the role of public procurement in supporting local economies.

Drawing on research, interviews and survey responses from almost 100 businesses and voluntary organisations, including FIS, the study found that many smaller organisations feel excluded from council procurement opportunities, citing overly complex processes, difficulty identifying opportunities and a perception that councils primarily work with larger suppliers.

The findings also reveal a significant mismatch between council perceptions and supplier experiences. While there is a widespread consensus among councils to assume that additional training or “meet the buyer” events are the key to increasing participation, businesses consistently identified a need for councils to better understand the practical realities of operating as a small organisation, including limited time, capacity and resources.

The guidance argues that councils can make immediate improvements by simplifying documentation, using plain language contracts, adopting proportionate requirements, improving communication and taking a more proactive approach to engaging local suppliers.

Ken Cole, lead author and Local Government East Talent Bank Associate, said:

“Small and micro businesses are the backbone of local economies and account for the overwhelming majority of businesses operating across England. Yet many councils still unintentionally create barriers  through their procurement policies and procedures that make it difficult for these organisations to engage.

This guidance demonstrates that becoming more business-friendly doesn’t require legislative change or significant investment. Often it means challenging assumptions, simplifying processes and recognising that smaller organisations operate very differently from large corporations.”

The report highlights growing evidence that increasing spend with local businesses delivers benefits far beyond procurement outcomes, supporting local jobs, strengthening communities, improving social value and contributing to environmental sustainability through shorter supply chains.

Sally Guyer, Global CEO of World Commerce and Contracting said

“This isn’t simply about procurement. It’s about how councils use their spending power to support thriving local economies and stronger communities.

While the project originated in the East of England, the challenges and opportunities identified are shared by councils across the country. Our ambition is for this guidance to help local authorities everywhere create more accessible and inclusive approaches to working with local businesses and voluntary organisations.”

The publication is also expected to form part of wider national discussions on the future of local procurement, including the World Commerce & Contracting webinar, Bridges not Barriers: Unlocking Local Procurement for Small and Micro Businesses. https://www.worldcc.com/events/event-calendar/bridges-not-barriers-unlocking-local-procurement-for-small-and-micro-businesses.html

After eight years of service, Iain McIlwee confirmed today that later this year he will be stepping down as CEO of FIS and the process has begun to find his replacement. In this short article Iain reflects on his time at FIS and the exciting opportunity to lead the next chapter for the FIS and wider sector.

Eight years ago, I was entrusted with the role of Chief Executive at Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS). Today, I am confirming that later this year I will be handing that responsibility on to someone new.

This has not been an easy decision as FIS has always been more than a job to me. I care deeply about this sector, the people within it and the vital role FIS plays in helping drive positive change. Representing our members has been one of the greatest privileges of my career and, hand on heart, I have given everything I have to that mission throughout my tenure.

There is never a perfect time to move on from something that means so much, but after eight years it feels like the right moment to pass the baton and allow someone new to lead FIS into its next chapter.

What has driven me every day in this role is doing right by the people. The businesses and individuals who turn drawings into reality, overcome challenges every day and quite literally put the wow into buildings. The trust placed in me by members and the FIS team over the years has been humbling, and I will always be grateful for it.

When I joined FIS, the organisation was still relatively early in its journey following the merger that brought together different parts of our sector under a single banner. Over the past eight years, we have continued to strengthen that collective voice, grow our influence and raise the profile of an industry that plays a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable buildings.

The backdrop has been one of unprecedented challenge and change. Together, we navigated COVID, waves of inflation and supported the sector through the profound reforms that followed the Grenfell tragedy and continue to reshape construction. We have prioritised the competency agenda, strengthened our leadership on sustainability, championed better procurement through the Responsible No campaign and intensified the fight against poor payment practices and cash retentions. Seeing the Commercial Payments Bill progress through Parliament is a reminder of what can be achieved when industry comes together behind a shared cause.

No Chief Executive achieves anything on their own, and any success attributed to me is really a reflection of the people around me. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the FIS Board for their leadership and support, and to the amazing FIS team for their dedication, passion and unwavering commitment to our members.

As I prepare for the next chapter, I do so with complete confidence in the future of FIS. We have an outstanding team, a clear purpose and a membership that continues to demonstrate the very best of our sector. The work is far from done, but I know FIS will continue to play a leading role in driving positive change in construction.  To whoever follows me, I can only commend this role. If you are passionate about making a difference, bringing people together and helping to lead change, there are few opportunities in our industry that offer the same privilege, challenge and reward.

Before I sign off, I want to leave one final call to action.

FIS is at its best when members get involved. When people share their experience, challenge thinking, contribute expertise and work together to improve our sector, good things happen.  Whether you are already a member or considering joining, my message is simple: don’t take FIS for granted and don’t stand on the sidelines. The greater the participation, the stronger our collective voice becomes and the more we can achieve together.  My experience over the past eight years has shown me time and time again that when we come together behind shared challenges and opportunities, we are greater than the sum of our parts. More influential. More effective. Better able to shape the future of our industry.

FIS will always be defined by its members. Please continue to support it, challenge it and help shape it.

In return, my final promise is that I will leave nothing on the pitch over the next three months as we manage this transition and continue building on these strong foundations.

FIS is now welcoming applications from interested and ambitious candidates to lead the next chapter for FIS and the wider sector.

Could this exciting opportunity be your next career move? Find out more about the role and take the next step towards making an impact for the finishes and interiors sector.