We had planned for our Scotland AGM and Summer Reception to be a 100% in-person meeting. Unfortunately, the train strikes announced earlier in June meant that many members were unable to attend in person. Frustrating, as we had deliberately selected the venue (the offices of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo) because it is right next to Waverley train station. However, we adapted to the circumstances and put the technology in the room to enable members to join us online.

It's all aboard for the new Scotland Board members

The train strikes didn’t prevent FMB’s National President Jan Etchells from making the journey to Edinburgh though. Members enjoyed meeting Jan and our Scotland President Alastair Raitt revealed the results of the elections for the vacancies on the Scotland Board.

Four new Scotland Board members were confirmed at the AGM and Alastair thanked all Scotland members who chose to put themselves forward as candidates to be elected onto the Scotland Board. Here is the full FMB Scotland Board as of 23 June 2022:

Alastair Raitt (Scotland President & FMB National Board Representative) H M Raitt & Sons Ltd
Jim Gilmour O D C Ltd
Robert Wilson Wilson Decorators Ltd
Peter Tait DITT Construction Ltd

Theresa Brown

Young Wilson & Cunningham Ltd
Lee Cairns (Scotland Vice President) Thistle Trade Group Ltd
Ryan Alexander Munro Fair George Fair Joiners & Contractors
Stuart Livingstone Stuart Livingstone Joinery Ltd
Pam Wilson Kevin Wilson Joiners and Building Contractors
Angus Reid-Evans Spey Building & Joinery Ltd
Colin McInnes (Co-opted Board member McInnes Construction Services Ltd
Ross Taylor Fine Detail All Trades Ltd
Mark MacDonald O'Mac Construction Limited
Stephen O'Neill SJ O'Neill
Martin Sneddon Martin & Son Builders

Business support and new opportunities for FMB members

The FMB’s Chief Executive, Brian Berry, joined the AGM online and provided an update on FMB’s achievements in 2022 and an insight into the organisation's plans. Members discussed resourcing in Scotland, and concerns about procurement practices in local authorities came under the spotlight too.

Members heard insights from our Scotland Director Gordon Nelson on topical issues in the building industry in Scotland. All then benefitted from learning about the latest updates on the business support and funding available for construction firms in Scotland from Digital Construction Skills. Our other guest presenters GlenEtive Projects and Scotland’s Towns Partnership shared their exciting ideas and plans to involve members in delivering building projects.

Once the business briefing concluded, conversations flowed as drinks and canapes were served. In the words of FMB member Gary Finnie: “Well done to the FMB team in pushing ahead and putting this event on. Yes, the train strikes de-railed what promised to be a great turn out, but I’m glad I took time out of my hectic schedule to come along and learn from the FMB and the guest speakers today. My thanks to TradePoint for sponsoring the drinks reception.”

Join our next virtual meeting for FMB Scotland members

We run regular meetings for FMB Scotland members online. It's a chance to catch up and broaden your network, and a place to discuss some of the ideas and challenges you may have. Recent topics of discussion include the materials shortage, apprenticeships, and business growth. Find an event near you below.

 

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Airtightness and ventilation in retrofit

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Authors

Gordon Nelson

Gordon Nelson

FMB Scotland Hub Director, Federation of Master Builders

Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland

Gordon has nearly twenty years’ experience of working in membership organisations in Scotland and joined the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in 2014. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and for Unilever in business development, membership management and business-to-business marketing roles. Amongst his responsibilities in his role as the Director for FMB Scotland are public affairs, media relations, governance and representing member’s interests to Scottish policy makers and stakeholders within the Scottish construction industry. Gordon is the Secretary of the Cross-Party Group on Construction in the Scottish Parliament, and he is a member of the Scottish Building Standards Futures Board. Gordon represents the FMB on Scotland’s Construction Industry Collective Voice: which is comprised of the leading construction trade and professional bodies. In spring 2023 Gordon was appointed as an industry co-chair of the Construction Leaderships Forum’s (CLF) Transformation Board.

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