Brian Berry says association will focus on ‘driving up standards’ among SME builders

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) will focus on “driving up standards” among SME builders under newly appointed chief executive Brian Berry.

Berry told Building the association will press ahead with plans to set up a professional accreditation scheme for SME builders, which he said would help “combat cowboy builders”.

The FMB will submit an application with government to set up a ‘Competent Person Scheme’ to test and accredit SME builders in April. The application could be approved as early as July.

Berry said the association’s ultimate goal was to establish a national register of qualified builders, but he admitted this would require government legislation and was unlikely in the near term.

Berry is also committed to lobbying for SME involvement in the government’s Green Deal retrofitting scheme and to an overhaul of the FMB’s training services.

He takes over from former FMB boss Richard Diment, who stepped down in January after a dispute last November led to questions being raised about his performance as leader of the trade body.

Berry refused to comment on his predecessor’s departure and said there had been “no coup” to replace him.

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