SPOTLIGHT FMB WEST WALES BRANCH
W orking in West Wales can sometimes feel a little remote. Members are busy, but despite their hectic schedules, there is a great appetite for connection. “Working in the middle of nowhere for weeks without seeing a soul takes a toll,” says Mark Roberts, Director of Roberts Construction. “People struggle with awkward clients, pressure – all sorts.” Roberts is also Secretary of the FMB’s West Wales Branch – which happens to be one of the most engaged, vibrant and generous communities in the FMB. “Honestly, our branch meetings give all of us the chance to get out and socialise,” Roberts reflects. When you’re a small builder, you work all hours to get through the jobs, and a lot of our members don’t take time out. “Having that commitment once a month to go for a pint, enjoy a meal, discuss FMB business, and have a chat gives us a reason to step away from work. Without it, many of us would just work, work, work and never get out.” Meeting together provides members with an opportunity to socialise. But what keeps them coming back each month – and connecting via their Whatsapp Close-knit, supportive and charitable – the FMB West Wales branch is a thriving community. So what’s the secret behind their success?
GIFT OF
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issue or how to approach something – and everyone offers input. The older members have phenomenal knowledge. “Ken Pearson, for example, is passionate about apprenticeships and has vast knowledge of construction methods. Neil Atkins is a property developer – what or who he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing. If you’ve got a planning issue, Neil is the go-to man. “The younger members bring strengths too, like social media knowledge. We all balance each other out.” One of the youngest members of the group is Rhys Davies, Director of RBD Building and member of the FMB Cymru Area Board. He agrees with Roberts that the diverse age group benefits everyone. “Older members have a lot of experience in the trade and maybe aren’t going through the same worries as I might be starting up and trying to grow my business,” Davies explains.
group where advice comes within an hour of asking for it – is the simple fact that they enjoy spending time together. “We get on,” Roberts explains. “In some areas, builders compete for the same work and don’t get on, but that’s not the case with us. We help each other. “If someone has too much work and a good job comes up, we’ll pass it on to another member. We bounce ideas off each other, and with our range of ages and experience, if someone has a problem, everyone chips in with advice. It’s a friendly group – no animosity at all.” For the ages At meetings, there are those approaching retirement right down to builders in their twenties. “There’s a huge spread of experience,” Roberts explains. “The younger ones ask questions – whether it’s a technical
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Master Builder
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