INTERVIEW JAN ETCHELLS
J an Etchells is most excited when FMB members maximise the value of their membership. Like that time during lockdown when a member completed every available e-learning course. “He did every one because they're brilliant. And they didn’t cost him anything because they’re included in his membership fee,” says
Those that didn’t meet the high standards were expelled. “I wanted to be able to tell Joe and Jill Public with hand on heart that every single member has passed inspection,” Etchell says. “Because shouting from the rooftops about how brilliant Master Builders are is one of the most important things the FMB can do to help members grow their businesses.” App for efficiency Etchells is eager about the new FMB app and how it will benefit members. “When a builder is on site, their phone is their office,” she says. “They order supplies, make payments, communicate with clients and subcontractors. The FMB app means they'll easily be able to access all of the important information they need whenever they need it.”
badge of quality. That’s an important part of it, but there’s so much more. “We need to bang on to members about all of the membership perks and resources right at their fingertips. We need to help
concedes that “in a living, breathing entity such as the FMB the goal posts are always shifting” and success will look different depending on where you’re standing. Regardless, she’s positive about having helped members, streamlined administrative processes such as the Articles of Association, and found ways to forge deeper connections. She fondly refers to the creation of her ‘Presidents’ Meeting’, which connected Presidents from around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to make everyone aware of the challenges facing members. To her successor, Chris Carr, currently FMB National Vice President, Etchells offers advice: “Attend every meeting to understand what other builders and areas are going through. The members are fabulous. When you really listen to their experiences you’ll find out how best to help them.”
them to help themselves.”
Elected National President in 2020 during the peak of Covid, Etchells
Jan Etchells
recalls the success of the first fully online Master Builder Awards in 2021. “It was amazing. The staff were incredible at managing all the tricky logistics online.” Nevertheless, Etchells prefers in-person ceremonies, because interacting with other members face-to-face has been one of the biggest pleasures of her presidency.
Etchells, outgoing FMB National President and Director of Syntonic Kitchen Technicians Limited. Or how about the time she saved a member loads of money by encouraging him and his team to complete the Asbestos Awareness training for free online. “They just sat two to a computer, completed the course and got a certificate at the end,” Etchells recounts. As happy as these stories make her, she still feels that the FMB could do better. “Some members think their membership is just about a
Past performance Looking back at past
Motivating factors Serving members has
achievements, Etchells wishes she had done more. But she
motivated all that Etchells has done during her presidency. For example, she made it her mission that the FMB inspects every member’s business.
Travelling around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to meet members has been a true privilege, says outgoing FMB National President Jan Etchells SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS
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Master Builder
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