Spec Finish

WELCOME Nicky Rogers Editor 4 www.thefis.org CONTACT US EDITORIAL Editor: Nicky Rogers Email: nickyr@warnersgroup.co.uk SpecFinish Warners Group Publications West Street Bourne Lincs PE10 9PH ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries: Theresa Geeson Email: theresag@warnersgroup.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS SpecFinish is distributed to members of FIS and other selected finishes and interiors businesses. If you wish to receive a copy of SpecFinish or would like to amend or cancel your subscription, please contact either info@thefis.org or telephone 0121 707 0077. FIS Tel: 0121 707 0077 www.thefis.org Email: info@thefis.org FIS, Unit 4, Olton Bridge 245Warwick Rd Solihull, West Midlands B92 7AH SpecFinish magazine is published on behalf of FIS by Warners Group Publications plc and the views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those held by FIS or the publishers. The publishers shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles. The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication. © All editorial contents SpecFinish 2021 Welcome SPEC FINISH T HERE is an awful lot to unpack in this issue, but it simply reflects the fast pace of change in our sector. While we acknowledge that potential materials shortages are going to be problematic, there’s nothing anyone can do other than plan ahead and grasp the fact that collaborative, ongoing communication throughout the whole supply chain is essential. Talk to clients about the challenges in securing material and the importance of early appointment to give you time to prepare, and consider the specification; remembering that any change to materials and products installed should be equal and approved. We have watched the world comfortably embrace digitisation – when did you last ‘write’ a letter or reach for the Encyclopedia Britannica? So far though, the construction industry as a whole remains one of the least digitised industries. This has to change so FIS created Digital Spine to explain the language behind the technology that is evolving. It will support the FIS community so that we can all work as a supply chain to offer integrated solutions to clients (page 14). Talking of supply chains, do you know what steps your suppliers have taken to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains and in any part of its business? Would you know if any workers on your sites are victims of modern slavery, and are you sure that all your EU workers have the right to work in the UK? These complex subjects are two that all employers must understand and put into action or face significant penalties, read more on page 24. At last, it seems that offices around the country will soon be buzzing with life again, but not as we knew it pre-pandemic. However, the workplace is still the lifeblood of many businesses and on page 20 Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive at the British Council for Offices, explains why the future of working in the office is bright and definitely here to stay. www.thefis.org