NHMF Maintenance Conference 2023: Contractor Forum Chair’s report
Mike Turner, Chair of the Contractor Forum & Director at Ian Williams Ltd, shares highlights from this year’s NHMF Housing Maintenance Conference.
The theme of this year’s NHMF Housing Maintenance Conference was collaboration, and this certainly underpinned a full agenda and variety of topical workshops and plenaries, delivered by a wide range of speakers, offering something for everyone. All the sessions I attended were interesting, and the emerging themes of ‘technology’ and ‘people’ working together to deliver a better value for money and quality service were particularly apparent. The pressures we face as a sector, such as skills shortages, rising material costs and inflation above RPI, which will continue to offer unprecedented challenges for many years, were also well addressed and relevant throughout. With Contractor Forum members in mind, these were my highlights:
M3NHF Schedule of Rates
One of the opening sessions of the conference was the launch of Version 8 of the M3NHF Schedule of Rates, delivered by schedule author David Miller. The Contractor Forum collectively contributed with ideas and suggestions towards this latest schedule, and in fact there was lots of engagement in developing the new rates overall. Many positive outcomes and reductions were reported, and I was particularly pleased to see how access to properties will be treated in the future. This introduction was also supported by drop-in sessions on both days of the conference. Version 8 is available here: https://www.m3h.co.uk/products/schedules/m3nhf-schedule-of-rates
Bad data keeps us from making good decisions
Following that, was the first plenary: “Bad data keeps us from good decisions” delivered by Chris Lees, Chief Executive, and chaired by Karl Linder, NHMF Chair & Head of Asset Compliance, Anchor Hanover. Chris’ principle of improving quality based on good data really resonated with me and I’m sure with many other members of the Contractor Forum too. Chris reported that data should have “completeness, uniqueness, consistency, timeliness, validation and accuracy” to be successful and support better future collaboration between service providers and clients to make informed asset management decisions.
Procurement – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The workshop, delivered by speakers Jane Nelson, Director of LCB Group; Tyron Stalberg, Bid Director at Vinci Construction, and chaired by Paul Maghie, NHMF Contractor Forum Committee member and Business Development Director for United Living, all contractor forum members, really highlighted the importance of good procurement for both clients and service providers. The session focused on sharing lessons learnt from good and poor procurement, provoking significant discussion, debate and ideas for what constitutes best practice in procurement and the improvements that can be made to make the process better for all stakeholders.
Paul, Jane and Tyrone are all members of the Contractor Forum and shared the details of the next Contractor Forum Working Group which they have formed to explore procurement issues further over the next 12 months, with particular focus on examining the impact of inflation on supply chain and whether current contracts are fit for purpose. This will lead to recommendations as to how cost increases can be mitigated for both clients and contractors and they will deliver their findings at next year’s conference. If you would like to be part of the working group, please contact [link].
Apprenticeships - our future in your hands
This was the fourth plenary of the conference which took place on the final day and examined the importance of apprentices, highlighting where we are in terms of training enough people to meet future demands. It’s widely reported that the sector’s challenges are borne from an ageing workforce, skills lost through Brexit and Covid, with many not returning to the sector post-pandemic.
Speakers Russell Thompson, Chair of Direct Works and Ettan Bazil, CEO of Trade Innovations Ltd & Elite Heating and Plumbing, discussed how using the levy to support better investment is key and a particularly pertinent takeaway phrase used “apprenticeships & improverships” highlights the importance of upskilling the mature workforce too.
Today's leadership: creating positive cultures for talent retention & staff wellbeing
Existing workforces, and the retention of talent within an organisation should be a focus for business leaders, alongside more emphasis on employee wellbeing. This was the theme of the final workshop session I attended, with speakers Kevin McCarthy, Executive Director & Chair, Just Housing, Shirley Heapy, Chief Executive, Clive Smith Foundation, and Bob Heapy , Executive Director, Peabody Trust Chief Executive, Town and County Housing and Rosebery Housing Associations, Peabody Trust, and Chair Stephen Chalmers, NHMF Group Board & Technical Director, Kingsdale Group.
During the session, Shirley spoke about the Clive Smith Foundation, which is the first charity in the housing sector dedicated to tackling mental health issues with an aim to eradicate suicide. It was founded in memory of a highly regarded architect who took his own life on 5th April 2021, one of 507 suicides in the sector that year. This was particularly poignant in emphasising the importance of the effort needed to move forwards with an open culture where mental health is talked about openly. I am very supportive of the work being done by Clive Smith Foundation and others.
Frameworx/ Social value
The new Not-for-Profit procurement framework organisation, Frameworx which was set up in association with the NHMF last year, is committed to investing in social value and supporting communities. Approved providers on the new frameworks sponsored the inaugural Frameworx Lounge which enabled the organisation to deliver on its social value promise from the proceeds. I was delighted to be part of Frameworx first charitable donation of £2,000 to the Peabody Community Fund. It was also great to see the buzz about Frameworx across the conference and the lounge being well used by clients and providers throughout.
Contractor Forum
It was great to see the Contractor Forum so widely represented across the speakers, awards, sponsors, and delegates contributing to the debate. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sonya Russell for her hard work and dedication to the Forum. Sonya is stepping down as vice chair and taking over the role for this year is Paul Maghie, who brings with him great experience and drive to move the Forum forward. Welcome Paul.
The Forum itself is in great shape, with membership at an all-time high and a calendar of 3 events planned for this year, where we will continue to focus on promoting best practice in the housing sector.
I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating the NHMF team for delivering another successful conference.
