Spec Finish

ROUNDTABLE www.thefis.org 23 Iain McIlwee FIMMM CEO, Finishes and Interiors Sector Ltd Iain McIlwee is a materials engineer whose journey in construction started in a scaffolding yard in Hanwell in 1995. He is now CEO of Finishes and Interiors Sector, the trade body for the fit-out and finishes sector representing suppliers, distributors and contractors. Iain is also a Vice Chair of the Construction Products Association. Prior to the FIS Iain served as CEO of the British Woodworking Federation, during which time he helped establish the Confederation of Timber Industries and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme. Iain served as a non-Executive Director of FENSA from 2014-2018. Helen Tapper Operations Director, Tapper Interiors FIS President Helen Tapper started her career as an electrical engineering apprentice back in 1984, going on to become a senior electrical engineer for a large multinational logistics company. Following the birth of her two daughters, she decided to help her husband run the family interiors business while it expanded. Almost two decades later, she as seen the company’s turnover quadruple. Helen was elected President of Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) in 2019. The core focus of her presidency is championing the cause of small contractors and diversity in construction. RichardWaterhouse Chief Strategy Officer, NBS Richard is a Chartered Architect and Chief Strategy Officer at NBS, an integrated global platform for everyone involved in the design, supply and construction of the built environment. It is recognised across the world for the quality of its software and content as well as its innovative application of technology. Richard has been chair of the B555 British Standards BIM committee, chair of CB5 construction standards strategy and co-chaired the European Standards CEN/TC442 Working Group on BIM Strategy and Planning. He has also been Head of UK delegation for the International Standards Organisation TC59 SC13. Rob Frank Customer Experience Director, BWWorkplace Experts Rob joined BW in September 2016 after 16 years with Morgan Sindall Group where he developed, influenced and embedded business change initiatives across most of the group companies and was Managing Director for the construction regional business. Rob leads BW’s Defect Free drive and is responsible for improving the entire customer experience journey, including supply chain engagement. Angela Mansell Managing Director, Mansell Interiors Angela has served on the board of Mansell Finishes Limited since appointment as Operations Director in January 2002. In April 2019 she moved into the Managing Director role. Mansell Finishes was established in 1992 and works as a sub-contractor in off-site framing solutions and on-site finishing. Angela is responsible for the strategic direction of the company. She was the first female president of the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors and instrumental in the merger that created the Finishes and Interiors Sector. Mike noted that restrictions are causing people to consider whether things need to be done on-site. They are starting to see demand for smaller boards, which reduce weight or bespoke lengths which limit the need to cut on-site, reducing the need for labour on-site. Mike also reflected that limitations on space and bodies on site adds to the pressure to produce less waste, which requires additional handling and storage. Nigel questioned whether this wholesale review could finally create a tipping point for modernmethods of construction. Components could be pre-sized so there is less cutting required on site, along with the need for manual waste removal. Designers need to domore to understand the products and logistics. Todd believes that the past fewmonths have demonstrated howmuchmore efficient the industry can be when there is more integration, withmore work taking place off-site, for example the integration of lighting and other services into ceilings. The big problemwith that is that many specialist sub- contractors don’t currently have the skills to work with all the different products. But trials were promising and it was an opportunity that needed to be explored further. Riskmanagement Angela raised the concern that pressure had slowly been building on specialist contractors before COVID, linked to the Hackitt Review and new requirements. The level of scrutiny/ detail has not been reflected properly and there is often just not enoughmoney in the schemes tomake themfinancially viable, Angela added, with the contractor shouldering the risk for very little reward. ‘The circular argument’ whereby builders, designers, main contractors and the client all blamed each other for delays and stumbling blocks to work flow, was a recurring theme within the industry, but there was a need to reset and consider the actual end-user, the person who uses the building and ultimately suffers fromany collective failure. Ann believes there is more leverage with owner- operators where they need to live with their decisions. She added that many clients suffer from risk blindness. “Some clients still believe you canmove risk, even when you clearly can’t. Look at Carillion. It proved you can’t offset all of your risk.” The need to price for risk was discussed. It was felt that trying to parcel it up and contract it out undermined attempts to collaborate. Ann rsaid risk sharingmodels exist, incentivising all fromdesigners through to finishing contractors, but need upfront