Our Architectural Assistant, Laura, spent a morning at The Pointing Dog in Cheadle Hulme for the FMB Northern Members event — an event bringing together FMB members and local builders from across the region for a morning of industry updates, networking and member speaker sessions.

The agenda ran through the issues that matter most to builders right now: sustainability, innovation, winning new work, and the practicalities of running a construction business day-to-day. Alongside the talks, there was plenty of time for networking, with members swapping notes on what's working, what's changing, and what to watch out for over the next year.

Carolyn Frank, FMB's Director of the North, gave a great steer on where the industry is heading next, and it was clear from the room how much value FMB's regional network brings to smaller and mid-sized builders in particular.

The VELUX Partnership Spotlight

One of the morning's highlights was a session from VELUX, unveiling their new FMB partnership programme to replace the existing rewards scheme. It's a substantial upgrade: a dedicated housing team offering spec and installation guidance, a new points-based rewards system with tiered perks, free training, and a brand new workshop centre opening in Leeds. The focus throughout was on helping builders get airtight, best-practice installs right first time — practical support rather than just another brochure promise.

Thanks to Matthew Angus and Barbara Entwistle from VELUX for a genuinely insightful presentation, and to Annie Platts from the Growth Hub for sharing some excellent advice on the opportunities currently available to builders.

Why We Attend Events Like This

Mornings like this are a good reminder of why it's worth getting out from behind the desk. New products, new funding routes, new training programmes — the industry moves fast, and the best way to keep up is to be in the room hearing about it directly from the people driving the change, rather than catching up months later.

Thank you to Carolyn Frank and the FMB Northern regional team for organising it. We're already looking forward to the next one.

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