Spec Finish

Feature Helen Tapper , Business Operations Director at Tapper Interiors officially stepped down as President of FIS at the AGM on 6 October 2022. We take a look back at her presidency and what the future holds for Helen. OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY 24 www.thefis.org H ELENbecame the FISPresident on 19November 2019 at our AGM. She has held the position for amomentous three years. Normally a two year term, however, with theCOVID-19pandemic and uncertainty across the sector, Helenwas asked to remain in post for a further year to help steer the FIS through these choppy and uncharteredwaters. Helen took office on November 2019 and set out her stall in an interview with SpecFinish, we discussed amongst other things what causes she was passionate about and what she hoped to achieve in her time. Helenwas clear: “The focal pointswill be championing the cause of small contractors and diversity”. During the interview, she stated: “FIS has been successful in raising its profile and membership, and part ofmy drive as president will be to provide smaller contractorswith the opportunity to develop their businesses, providing themwith access to all the help and information they need to do this, albeit in easily understandable and readily available formats”. Helen alsowent on to talk about “banging the drum”’ for equality, FIR (fairness, inclusivity and respect) and diversity and endeavouring to overcome some of the stereotypes that she believes are deterringmore skilled personnel fromentering thefinishes and interiors sector. Early on in her presidency, Helen delivered her “Calls to arms”, three step plan to rebuild construction Step 1: Return to the principle of unamended contracts. Step 2: Move to Integrated Project Insurance. Step 3: Establish a Building Safety Fund. To read the three step plan in full visit www.thefis.org/about-us/fis-campaigns/ call-to-arms At the start of 2020, the world began to understand the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and by April 2020 the UK and Scottish governments had announced the devastating news of a first lockdown and the closure of schools, pubs, restaurants, sites, businesses etc. Helen had to juggle the intense pressure on her business with the role of president - the normal cycle of quarterly Board meetings became weekly. Her first focus was to ensure FIS had their ear to the ground and could attack a lack of clarity/understanding of our sector from our Government with structured information. Thanks to this effort and a targeted comms plan, FIS was able to crystalise concerns and feed information directly to Government, whilst at the same time working with members on individual cases and trying to support dialogue with clients and major contractors. The external message from FIS was clear, if you cannot do it safely, don’t do it, internally it became – the need for FIS has never been greater and the organisation needed to step up like never before. In an open letter to the sector, as FIS President Helen said: “I didn’t expect this mess [COVID-19] when I agreed to be FIS President, but I have never been more glad to be an FIS Member or proud of our organisation. They, guided by the Board and supported by our community have been a vital lifeline, helping to inform the decisions we as a business have had to make and even being that caring and supportive voice at the end of the phone. Together we are stronger. To read the letter in full visit www.thefis.org/2020/03/27/a-letter- from-the-fis-president/ FIS CEO Iain McIIwee commenting on Helen’s presidency said: “Helen’s legacy as FIS President is assured, without doubt she has been the Unprecedented President! Beyond the pandemic, she has steered us through Brexit, material shortages, labour shortages, unabated inflation, not to mention the introduction of the Building Safety Act – all unprecedented. But this was matched with her own effort. Through it all, she has shown tremendous leadership as well as being an exceptional mentor to me. I am in her debt, we are in her debt. Beyond facing the unprecedented, her legacy too will shine through in our ongoing work on inclusivity and a completely fresh approach to supporting all businesses through our supply chain, and especially making sure we are listening to those smaller contractors who are the future, but can feel powerless in the evolution of their sector”. Commenting on what the future holds, Helen said: “My future includes, remaining on the Board as ‘Immediate Past President’, hopefully keepingmy hand in on various Industry Committees and working out an ‘Exit Strategy’ for our business because if I am lucky enough to have grandchildren one day I would like to have the time to spend with them. I have enjoyedmy time as President but I think both for the future of the organisation and for me personally, it is time for a change. I hand over to Philip Brown, who has a wealth of industry and sector experience and is a general ‘Good Guy’ to boot, he will provide that change perfectly”. Helen passed the reins to Philip Brown, Managing Director at Meronden and previously the FIS Vice President at the AGM on 6 October 2022. Helen Tapper, Business Operations Director at Tapper Interiors Limited and FIS President