For those who haven't come across the Federation of Master Builders before, the FMB is the UK’s largest trade association for the construction industry.

They campaign for higher standards among building businesses (like ours), but just as importantly, they exist to protect and educate homeowners, helping people avoid poor building practice and giving them somewhere to turn to when things go wrong.

Membership to the Federation of Master Builders isn’t automatic for construction businesses. Builders have to meet strict vetting criteria around technical competence, financial standing, and quality of work, and they’re checked regularly to make sure standards are maintained.

What is the Federation of Master Builders Central Board?

The Central Board is made up of elected construction business owners from across the region.

All of these elected people then feed directly into national policy on the issues that matter the most, both to construction businesses like ours and to the homeowners we build for — like skills shortages, training, regulation, planning reform, the future of SME construction. All of it eventually comes back to one thing: the quality and safety of the work that ends up in people’s homes.

As a newly elected member of the board, Alexandra brings a slightly different mix to the table. Her experience and knowledge on architectural design, hands-on construction, running a building company, and years spent teaching and mentoring the next generation of tradespeople, gives her a broad view of the industry, not just from the business side, but from the perspective of what actually matters to the people whose homes and projects are on the line.

Alexandra joined her first board meeting virtually last Thursday, and already knows a fair few of the other members. Some genuinely brilliant people she respects in the industry, and she's proud to be working alongside them over the next two years to help raise standards across the sector.

Our Work with The Federation of Master Builders So Far

This isn't the first time Alexandra, Powell Design & Construction, and the FMB have crossed paths.

Alexandra represented the FMB at this year's National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC Birmingham, offering free advice to homeowners on their stand.

She’s also shared her perspective on the FMB's Build Up podcast, talking about what really sets good building companies apart.

Powell Design & Construction was also put forward for the FMB's Workplace Culture Award last year, recognising how we bring design and construction together under one roof and invest in our team.

On top of that, we have held a FMB Trusted Builder accreditation since early 2022, meaning we've been independently vetted against their standards for quality and reliability.

We like to see this appointment as recognition of years of consistent work, holding ourselves to a high standard, being vetted and trusted by the industry's leading body, and now, having a genuine say in the conversations that shape construction standards nationally.

For our clients, that means something simple. You're working with a business that isn't just keeping up with industry standards. We're helping set them, with your best interests represented at a national level.

Congratulations on the appointment, Alexandra. We're all incredibly proud.

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