Spec Finish

The Transformation agenda We have lived through the past couple of years as best we can. Without doubt, it has been most difficult time that many of us have ever experienced in business, but throughout, FIS has recognised its responsibilities and has supported its members individually when needed and, at the same time, has continued to take a good look at the sector overall and identified areas where it can influence and improve working practices. REBUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 www.thefis.org I N his AGM address last November, CEO, Iain McIlwee acknowledged the major issues affecting the industry and set out the FIS plans to transform construction. More of the same, but better: FIS key campaigns Industry transformation: “The contractor model is creaking at the seams,” said Helen Tapper, FIS President. “It is a victim of overly complex contracts and ineffective risk management so change is necessary.” So, in a three-step plan, FIS is working towards: 1. Modern Methods of Tendering and Procurement. JCT contracts were established decades ago to share risk fairly through the supply chain, but we have manipulated this system and normal is now contracts with reams of amendments designed to transfer risk, often unfairly and unreasonably. As part of a focus on modern methods of procurement FIS will also be supporting the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, revisiting risk introduced through persistent poor tendering, insufficient time being allocated to packages within programmes, late engagement, retention protocols and unfair payment practices. 2. Redefining our relationship with the insurance sector. Concerns over design liability and the escalating cost of and confusion around particularly Professional Indemnity Insurance have escalated as companies have assessed and attempted to offload risk. As we move away from the build and design culture, It is vital to ensure that effective insurance is wrapped around a robust construction process. In 2022 FIS aims to launch FIS Insurance Services, a ‘cooperative’ insurance brokerage and risk management advisory service. 3. Establishing a Building Safety Fund. The Building Safety Bill brings much positive change, but the retrospective aspects of the Defective Premises Act are a real concern. Where there is genuine negligence, companies must be held to account, but we cannot allow construction to shoulder all the blame for what was, in the case of Grenfell, a total systemic failure. A proportionate Building Safety Fund, levied thinly over a long period is the fairest way to resolve legacy concerns and ensure action is put before blame. Other campaigns 1. Materials shortages: FIS is urging the supply chain to heed the advice of the Construction Leadership Council and apply the lessons learned in 2020 about working in partnership and collaboration. 2. Skills shortage: At the AGM Iain McIlwee also said that although workwise, demand remains strong, the labour shortage exacerbated by Brexit has left the industry exposed. To address this, FIS continues to work with training providers to build provision for the new Interior Systems Installer apprenticeship to ensure we have an effective recruitment pipeline of skilled workers we have to find in the UK. 3. Competency in the workforce: FIS is working to simplify our competency frameworks and develop new tools to support companies in defining and managing competence within core roles through trade to supervision and management in contractors and within the supply chain. 4. Net zero: The FIS Sustainability Working Group is taking a proactive lead to support the UK ambition to net zero carbon by 2050. It aims to influence design and procurement, set targets and support standardisation of data collection, create an open network to share best practice, collate and create supporting resources and highlight approaches that help inform change. Work is led by a new addition to the FIS team, our Sustainability Champion. 5. Data led change: FIS is commissioning a landmark academic study on procurement practices. The focus will be on how we can collaborate outside of a project to construct a better industry and building the evidence to support change. 6. Fit-Out Group: A new working group looking at the fundamentals of fit-out in the industrial and commercial sector. This group will be about monitoring trends, sharing best practice and improving productivity. 7. An upgraded vetting process: FIS is reviewing vetting processes to help us to build trust that is lacking in construction as an industry and better support our community and project the values we uphold. The FIS voice is getting stronger and its influence is growing. To read about the campaigns in detail, visit www.thefis.org/about-us/fis-campaigns