Welcome BRIAN BERRY
S till buzzing after the very successful 2025 Master Builder Awards, we’re excited to feature on the cover and in the magazine our interview with Master Builder of the Year, R & M Williams Ltd, which won for its remarkable transformation of the derelict Palace Theatre in Swansea (pages 28-29). Thanks again to awards sponsor Isuzu for its generous gift of a D-max Utah Pick Up truck. The FMB’s Licence to Build campaign (page 15) continues to progress and gather support from the government, cross-party MPs and homeowner groups as we push for a mandatory licensing scheme to raise standards and protect builders and consumers. Our new National President, Phillip Hall, outlines his vision for the year ahead (page 16-17), championing professionalism, skills, and a stronger voice for small builders. Our regular columnists Tom Hall and Jeremy Gray return (pages 18- 19) with insight and analysis on the economic and political landscape – important reading as members navigate ongoing challenges and opportunities in construction. From the stunning to the surprising, our project spotlight features ‘Skyfall’ by Project One Design & Management in Cardiff – a residence transformed through cutting-edge design and technology into a home that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond film. The project scooped two Cymru Master Builder Awards, for Large Renovation Project and Kitchen Project (pages 20-21).
“The FMB’s Licence to Build campaign continues to gather support from the government, cross-party MPs and homeowner groups as we push for mandatory licensing.”
In Member Voices (pages 22- 23), builders share how AI and digital tools are changing the way they work – although they stress the ongoing need for the human touch. Supporting digital resilience, we highlight how Cyber Essentials (pages 24-25) can safeguard your business from ever-growing cyberthreats. We’re proud to launch the SME Developer Guide (page 26), a practical resource to help members take the step from builder to housebuilder. We also hear from Joe Lyons of J.L. Lyons & Company Limited, reflecting on 45 years in business, from working with Marks & Spencer, Heathrow Airport, and Transport for London to the importance of building a team you can rely on (pages 31-33). We look to the future of sustainable building with a feature exploring how members are thinking differently and acting sustainably using rammed earth and hempcrete techniques to build lasting homes with light footprints (pages 34-37). Finally, on page 41, the FMB Insurance team warns against a new form of insurance fraud known as ghost broking and on page 42, our Inspections team tells you all you need to know for when they arrive on your site. Enjoy the read – and as always, thank you for helping to build a better industry.
BRIAN BERRY, Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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