January 2020

Industry News
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk
THE HOPE IS THAT THE ELECTION RESULT BRINGS CLARITY
Putting aside any individual political
persuasions, the general election will
hopefully deliver a level of clarity which is
required for the roofing and wider
construction sector to move forward.
It’s now very much down to the government to
follow through on its series of pledges, but
hopefully the uncertainty which has contributed to
stalled projects and a lack of investment is behind
us.
Below, the NFRC and FMB give their thoughts on
the general election result and what it means for
roofing and the wider construction sector:
James Talman, CEO of the National Federation of
Roofing Contractors (NFRC), explained: “The
NFRC congratulates the new government and
looks forward to it fulfilling its commitment to
investing in construction, which has been
neglected for too long. We hope that a majority
government will help to put an end to the political
uncertainty that has stalled investment decisions,
and it is now essential that the UK puts
construction at the forefront of any new trade
deals, in order to encourage the much-needed
finance of new projects.
“With increasing public scrutiny of the quality and
safety of buildings, now is the time for
government to also back the industry’s drive to
improve competency, which includes the
development of the RoofCERT accreditation
scheme, by stipulating that only qualified
specialist installers are used on all government
and public construction projects.
“We also urge that it ends cash retentions by
2023, following the Construction Leadership
Council’s endorsement of the industry’s Zero
Retentions Roadmap, which will be critical to
creating a more sustainable business model for
the whole construction supply chain.
“The NFRC’s commitment to improving standards
and pay conditions within the roofing industry are
among the key issues contained within eight key
focus areas of its new strategy and policy
document ‘The Way Ahead’, with others including
innovation, sustainability and attracting new
talent.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB,
explained: “The new Conservative Government
has a golden opportunity to sort out Brexit and set
out its new vision for the UK. Building the homes
and infrastructure that this country needs has to
be a key priority to help drive the economy
forward.”
Berry concluded: “The Government needs to back
the nation’s army of small builders, by delivering
on the promised £3bn National Skills Fund,
investing in quality through a licensing scheme for
the whole UK construction industry, and
supporting local builders to retrofit the millions of
homes that need to be upgraded to low carbon.”
AVONSIDE MAKES PLUMBING MOVE
GIESLER IN AT BBA
Avonside Group has announced
the acquisition of Worcesterbased
Whites Plumbing
Services (WPS).
A long-established presence within the Midlands
Region, WPS was founded and built up under the
management of Nigel and Sue White.
In recent years, Chris White, who will continue as
Managing Director, has driven the business to
greater heights, and the acquisition allows for a
further stage of growth.
The move marks a significant stage in Avonside’s
development strategy, positioning the Group as a
multi-discipline service provider to the UK housebuilding
sector.
Tony Burke, Executive Chairman of the Avonside
Group, commented: “Whites Plumbing Services
represent the absolute ideal for us in terms of our
initial move into the P&H sector.
They are an extremely well
organised operation that can
offer us a platform as we seek to
expand our presence in this adjacent trade.”
He added: “Nigel and Chris White have based
their operation on outstanding service delivery,
and as such the ethos perfectly matches that of
the wider Group. We have great expectations and
look forward to working closely with the entire
team at Whites.”
On behalf of WPS, Nigel White commented: “The
business has been in family hands for over half a
century, it was essential to me that we picked the
right organisation to entrust it to. I have known
Tony Burke and key members of his management
team for many years and from all of our
conversations I know this is the right move for
both parties – the future is really exciting.”
The British Board of Agrément (BBA), has
appointed Hardy Giesler as its new CEO.
Mr Giesler brings more
than 30 years’
experience to the role,
having worked around
the globe in a career
dedicated to the
infrastructure industry. Hardy Giesler, CEO at BBA.
“I am excited about joining the British Board of
Agrément as CEO, leading a team of highly skilled
and capable people to provide leadership in the
construction sector,” said Mr Giesler.
A spokesman for the BBA said: “We are delighted
to welcome Hardy to the business. He brings
broad and in-depth knowledge to the position, as
well as a global perspective, all of which will be
put to good use driving the business forward.”
10 TC JANUARY 2020