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FIS review www.thefis.org 9 A T the AGM in November 2019 I was welcomed as President of FIS. In my speech I committed to making my two years about ensuring FIS redoubled efforts to ‘fight for SME contractors and strive for greater inclusivity in our workforce’. As we all look at the tatters of our business plans, there will be many ambitions left unfulfilled as a result of the pandemic, but one thing I know is that FIS has never fought harder for each and every one of us. In the darkest of days our trade association has been a shining light and a literal shoulder to cry on. Iain and his team were at the end of the phone for everyone that needed them. I have never been more proud to serve on the board. Throughout the crisis, FIS has acted as a conduit to share information, providing vital updates, developing crucial tools andmaking sure our voice was heard – to Government, through the Construction Leadership Council and even in the national press when we called Government out for a lack of clarity. Despite financial pressures, there is no doubt that FIS has grown in stature, demonstrated relevance and delivered outstanding value to our community. In this monumental effort I thank our staff team for their outstanding hard work and my fellow directors (whose support has bordered on the heroic) as they have given precious time, amidst their own headaches, to help steer the ship and target the FIS response. But there is no time for back-slapping, we aren’t out the woods yet. In our first COVID response meeting we set down a three-stage plan simply titled: ‘Be brilliant today, be better tomorrow’. This involved targeting all we could muster at dealing with the day-to-day challenges, but also looking ahead at what our community will need once the pandemic and Brexit are behind us – how we can ensure that our FIS is stronger for the fight ahead. Just as we needed FIS to step up in March, we must step up again – there are some tough days ahead and frankly, the construction industry needs a shake-up. Reinventing construction – true collaboration The Construction Leadership Council in the Roadmap to Recovery highlights the need to transform construction and 2021 must be about FIS carrying our voice into this conversation. In early 2020 (pre-COVID) I talked of three steps to rebuilding construction: • Step 1: Banning blatant risk transfer through reems of amendments to standard contracts; • Step 2: A move to project insurance; and • Step 3: Establishing a Building Safety Fund to deal with systemic failings of the past. The pandemic has only intensified the need to act – our ability to deliver our potential as a sector is severely hampered by the inherent combative nature of the supply chain and a lack of trust (a vital currency for every relationship). Early engagement and a partnership approach should not be a pipedream – it enables us to stop problems before they happen, will remove the need for rework and ensures consistency is delivered and lessons are learned. Our industry improves when we co-operate, it transforms when we collaborate. But early engagement of the supply chain is crucial not just in getting this project right but being stronger for the next one. We need to be respected as businesses, not simply used as tools to deliver projects. Early engagement allows us to develop a pipeline of work, unlocking investment in offsite, digital, automation and workforce management – we transform when we invest. Moving forward with purpose So as we look into 2021, FIS, like all of us will need to pull out the dents and breathe momentum back into projects that had to take a back seat, but we continue on this journey of ‘being better tomorrow’ and I can say with even more confidence this year, my commitment is that FIS will continue to fight tooth and nail for SME contractors, for better collaboration through our supply chain and to strive for greater inclusivity in our workforce. In return I ask for your continued support, but also, to use your influence to support FIS. Wear your membership with pride and promote it and encourage your peers, suppliers and customers, if they can, to get involved and join FIS. Together we are stronger and together we can transform. Helen Tapper FIS President BE BRILLIANTTODAY, BE BETTERTOMORROW… Helen Tapper, FIS President