September 2020

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NFRC: InterviewContinued from page 14divisive topic. “Professionally that was a verychallenging time for us,” explained James. “You’vegot some individuals on social media making verystrong comments about putting people’s lives atrisk, when the government had made a quiteambiguous statement on who should return to work– but the government didn’t prioritise or give keyworker status to construction workers.”James feels this put construction workers in a verydifficult position and the industry didn’t help itself.NFRC actually wrote to Andy Mitchell at the CLCregarding construction workers being afforded keyworker status, but this was not progressed. Jamesexplained: “I think the industry should have lobbiedmuch harder for key worker status. CLC is doing alot of fantastic work but it should have beenabsolutely adamant that if you want our buy-in, yougive us that status or recognition. That happened inmost countries, but it didn’t happen here.”James continued: “We were a little concerned bysome of the direction of the early introduction ofoperating procedures – we weren’t clear on the waythey were being developed and how the specialistcould input into those procedures. If you’re sayingclearly you want the industry to work, how are yousupporting industry to work? There was a little bit ofa disconnect – particularly when you’re gettingdown to the granular level of bricklayer, windowfitter or roofer – it’s all very well in policy up there,but for the person having to carry out the work,that’s where the disconnect was.”But going forward, should there be a second wave,James feels “industry’s got its act together with theway it’s operating” and construction should not besignificantly impacted. However, he cautions wemust not be complacent and industry, alongsideHSE, must continue to review industry infectiondata and introduce measures that reduce the risk offuture outbreaks.‘Member engagement & support’I ask James what he’s learned from the recentCovid pandemic, a situation with so many sensitivepressures: “Covid has taught me to continue tohave faith in the two core objectives of memberTwo to boost NFRC engagement:New podcast: As part of its push for betterengagement, NFRC has launched a newpodcast called RoofTop where key issueswill be discussed with experts. Availablewhere you find your podcasts.Major surveys: To help forecast, track andtackle issues for members and the widersector, NFRC will be producing regularsurveys. Look out for their latest focus onsupply issues in roofing.engagement and support, and raising the influenceof NFRC.” Going forward, James feels NFRC is verywell placed to have its say and really make animpact: “One of the good things for our sector is weare very broadly based; we’re in new housebuilding,we are in RMI, we are in commercial andinfrastructure, so that’s helped us a lot in terms ofinfluence.”The themes of influence, raising awareness andengagement run throughout our discussion, and willclearly be at the heart of James’ plans for NFRCmoving forward. NFRC recently announced its fourthPresident of James’ tenure as Kevin M Taylor hastaken over from Steve Revell. And whilst James wasvery clear about the “transformational change” thatwas required within NFRC when he entered the roleof Chief Executive, he’s just as certain about thebest path for the Federation as the sector looks tonavigate what will no doubt be a tricky period for all:“My ambitions are very much related to influenceand the acceptance of NFRC in the marketplace –it’s all about growing influence.”But how will the Federation go about achieving that?James points to the “three strands of quality,professionalism and social and environmentalvalues.”Taking each individually, James feels training is thecrucial factor in ensuring quality is raised, but alsopoints to further digitalisation within the NFRC,innovation and support through guidance.With regards to professionalism, James says thislinks heavily back to the CompetentRoofer Schemeand RoofCERT accreditation. “We want the brandCompetentRoofer and RoofCERT to reflect NFRC”,and as mentioned earlier there are moves to bringboth further under the NFRC banner.James says the social and environmental valuesaspect links to inclusivity and most importantly,safety: “I said early on my fundamental obligation isto do my best to ensure that those who are in ourindustry can work safely in it – and that’s obviouslybecome even more critical since Covid – you’venow got a relatively dangerous occupation,combined with new working practices, and a rush toget jobs completed – it has to be a case of healthbefore wealth.”Off the back of meeting and maintaining those threecore values, James says it will “definitely help ourmember retention and growth.”Looking to the futureThere’s no doubt there are more difficult times onthe horizon for the roofing sector and widerconstruction industry, whether it’s further delays onprojects due to poor weather, adapting to changingbuilding regs, or the issues around supply ofmaterials and lead times as manufacturers delaygetting back to full capacity for fear of furtherlockdowns and wider economic impacts.But looking to the future, James feels theenvironmental focus could offer some real benefitsfor the roofing sector. Indeed, NFRC has joined theUK Green Building Council in an attempt to “helpdrive policies to encourage environmental change”,and it’s “collaborating with the Solar TradeAssociation to encourage innovation” and focus onthe use of energy producing roofing materials toensure they’re installed correctly. So, whilst thehard work has been progressing throughoutlockdown at the NFRC to ensure it’s positioned wellto grow and maximise opportunities for members,James says “we’re not going to take our foot off thegas.”Contact the NFRCwww.nfrc.co.uk@TheNFRC16 TC SEPTEMBER 2020
For further inf formationor a hire quotation call SEPTEMBER 2020 TC 17
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September 2020

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