With housebuilding targets being in the news and the recent publication of the FMB’s commissioned report ‘Supporting SME Housebuilders’, our Southern Counties President, Geoff Anderson from Anderson Contractors Ltd, was invited by Dr David Howard, Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at Kellogg College, Oxford University to take part in a public seminar on the topic “Building our way out of the housing crisis: can regions work?” The seminar examined how regions can empower local SMEs to drive sustainable solutions and optimise resources. Geoff was one of four speakers who presented proposals for regionally-led initiatives to address broader environmental and social challenges.
Bringing an FMB builder’s expertise and experience to the discussion
Geoff was joined by other experts, Dr Graeme Larsen, Associate Dean (Sustainability) from the University of College and Estate Management; Megi Zala, Research Associate in Sustainable Urbanisation (KTP Associate) The King’s Foundation and; Anna Strongman, Chief Executive Officer, Oxford University Development and gave an overview of the current housebuilding context and the role that SME builders have played (and can play). 40 years ago,40% of all new homes were built by SME housebuilders, that percentage has now fallen to 10% (NHBC), the last time we built 300,000 houses a year (needed to meet the housing target) was 1969/70 and in 2022 just 5,500 social homes were built despite a waiting list of over 1.25 million.
Showcasing the quality and knowledge of our members
This opportunity is one of many which FMB members are sought for to share their quality, knowledge and experience, things which set Master Builders apart. If you’d like to get involved with similar events, join us at exhibitions and tradeshows or be part of an Ask the Expert at a consumer show, then please do get in touch.
Authors
Iain Kirtley
With over 20 years’ experience of membership bodies, not for profit organisations and the private sector, Iain joined the FMB in August 2023 from the Chartered Institute of Building where he worked with construction companies of all sizes to support them with training, development and accreditation.
