?February 2011

B+R founder to judge AIS awards

Bamber & Reddan Architects© founder Cyril Reddan will judge the interior fit out category of the 2011 AIS Contractors Awards. Trained in Ireland, Cyril established B+R in 1978 and opened a London office in 1986. B+R offers full architectural services for retail, commercial, educational, leisure and mixed use developments in the UK and Ireland with a proven

AIS PREVIEWS ACOUSTIC GUIDE AT SURFACE DESIGN SHOW

The new AIS © Guide to Office Acoustics© was previewed at the Surface Design Show on 16 February at the Building Design Centre, London. AIS technical manager Joe Cilia said: © The acoustic guide is nearing completion, so when we were approached by RIBA London to partner them in a presentation on the performance of sound, alongside Arup and Cundall, it provided an ideal opportunity to preview the guide. I am pleased to say it was extremely well received.© The CPD session, chaired by AIS chief executive David Frise, also looked at a case study on King© s Place and covered a range of new and innovative acoustic solutions.

Fit for the Future

AIS has joined forces with CITB-ConstructionSkills to create a careers video to encourage new entrants into the interiors sector. 'Fit for the Future', which can be viewed on the AIS website, provides a very clear, interesting and informative series of messages about the sector and the careers available. The video, which was made by a professional film company, is illustrated with images of members' work and features representatives from AIS contractor members talking about their passion for the industry and why they feel it presents a great career opportunity. Also starring is AIS training manager Jeremy Clayton. 'Talk about nerve racking,' said Jeremy. 'It is probably one of the hardest things I have ever been asked to do. However, it was all worthwhile. The resulting video gives a real insight into our industry and we track record in both the design and delivery of projects for repeat clients including The John Lewis Partnership, House of Fraser, Halifax / Bank of Scotland and Selfridges and Co. Cyril, who was featured in the Autumn issue of Interiors Focus, said: 'Last year the standard was really high and I am really looking forward to judging the interior fit out category this year. Each year the work of AIS contractors is becoming more recognised for its quality and I am certain that judging such projects is going to be extremely challenging'. www.bandr-arch.com The acoustic guide has been developed by AIS to promote best practice in the design and installation of acoustic solutions in offices. Based on extensive independent research commissioned by AIS, it has been designed to encompass the needs of a range of audiences, from first time office occupiers and clients, through to specialist contractors and suppliers of interior products, designers, architects and acousticians. www.ais-interiors.org.uk hope it will encourage an influx of new talent to the sector.' CITB-ConstructionSkills staff from the National Specialist Team and the Recruitment and Careers Team welcomed the opportunity to work with AIS on the project. Bill Brown, project manager for the National Specialist Team said: 'Working with AIS demonstrates the importance of CITB-ConstructionSkills' collaboration with trade associations for the benefit of their sector. We are sure that the content and up to date style in which the information is presented will appeal to many people and encourage them to consider a career in interior systems.' 'It was particularly pleasing to see demonstrated how quickly apprentices can progress. Site supervisor Evelyn Bizoola provides a great role model. She is currently involved in monitoring health and safety on the Olympic site for the company who took her on as an apprentice.' It is hoped that the links from the video on the AIS website to the bConstructive website will encourage people considering a career in interiors to take a positive step to apply for an apprenticeship or adult up skilling scheme. The video also appears on YouTube. www.ais-interiors.org.uk www.bconstructive.co.uk

David Jones elected NSCC President

AIS Immediate Past President and MD of Classic Excel David Jones was elected President of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) at its AGM in November. David's role will be to continue to help guide the NSCC's strategy, initially focusing on its No Retention Policy, which was launched this month (see page 9). As part of the Fair Payment Campaign, NSCC will be focusing on the removal of retentions in 2011. Clients are increasingly recognising that retentions are an outdated practice and the new NSCC No Retention Policy recommends that specialist contractors do not accept cash retentions. The best guarantee of quality is a competent and qualified supply chain, and NSCC is encouraging the industry to resist cash retentions in favour of more modern and practical alternatives. David said: 'This is a real honour for me and for AIS. I want to continue to build on the successes of the Fair Payment Campaign, and drive the No Retention Policy forward. Changing custom and practice is never easy - particularly when the practice in question has been around for more than 100 years - but the Fair Payment Campaign shows that by working together, we can make a difference. www.nscc.org.uk www.fairpaymentcampaign.co.uk MEMCOM © NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR© 2010

ASSOCIATION OF INTERIOR SPECIALISTS

Conference date for your diary

This year's AIS Conference will be held on 14-16 October in Brighton. AIS is looking at a number of hotels in the town, with the current favourite being the famous Grand Hotel. 'Given the current market the AIS Board thought long and hard about if, how, when and where to hold this year's Conference', says AIS operations director Jane Cook. 'We are looking at a number of ways to deliver better business value, particularly for our contractor members and will be working on a comprehensive conference programme, to be announced shortly'. Watch this space... FEATURING Vision of the future Stand... and deliver It© s cold outside Reducing risk ...and more!x www.ais-interiors.org.uk

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

You need to upgrade the version of your Flash Player to version 9 minimum.

Click here

Adobe Flash Player Download Center