Finishes & Interiors Sector
27 - 28 February
Workspace Design Show is proud to partner with the FIS, the not for profit representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK. The organisation exists to support its members, improve safety, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector.
The FIS Conference will offer a series of panel discussions, revealing the latest industry thinking from the finishes and interiors sector.


A series of discussions with industry experts
Located in the heart of the Workspace Design Show, the FIS will host a series of talks and panel discussions with industry leaders, covering topics in line with the Show theme of ‘Destination Workplace’. There will also be a dedicated space at the exhibition featuring some of the latest innovations and products from FIS members.
2024 Speakers

Andrew Taylor,
Techncial Officer at ASFP

Jamesina Sainsbury,
Director of Consultancy at MCM

Martin Taylor,
Executive Director at LABC

Ben Southgate,
Principal Engineer at Sandy Brown

Andrew Parkin,
Partner – Global Head of Acoustics, Cundall

Bobby Chakravarthy,
Partner at Arcus Consulting LLP

Mark Catchlove,
Director at Miller Knoll

Dr. Vanessa Brady OBE,
Founder & CEO at The Society of British and international Interior Design (SBID)

Oliver Heath,
Founder at Oliver Heath Design

Vidhi Sharma,
Creative Director at Modus Workspace

Penny McCallum,
Environmental Manager at BW

Dr Katherine Adams,
Director at Reusefully

Dr Stephen Hamil,
Innovation Director at NBS

Kate Hawkins,
Pre-Contract Projects Director at Stanmore

Pascal van Dort,
Global Acoustics Ambassador at Rockfon

Charles Begley
Chief Executive at London Property Alliance

Alison Nicholl,
Head of Constructing at Excellence BRE Group

Bola Abisogun OBE,
Digital Director, BIM Academy

Cliff Smith,
Executive Director, GIRI

Professor Stuart Green,
University of Reading
Speakers
FIS Talks Agenda
10:30 – 11:30am: The Building Safety Act and its impact on the fit-out sector
How we need to adapt to a new regulatory environment
Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive
Why the Gateways are so important and what Building Control is looking for
Martin Taylor, Technical Director, LABC
Implementing Competence Plans
Bobby Chakravarthy, Partner Arcus Consulting LLP and Director My Pro Pass
Looking beyond High Risk Buildings – wider implication of the New Regulatory Environment
Paul Armstrong, Training Academy Lead Assent Building Control & FSBRG (Fire Safety Buildings Regulations Group) member
Panel discussion
11:50am – 12:50pm: Common Compliance Concerns
How can we change our culture to aid compliance
Joe Cilia, FIS Technical Director
Understanding where the risks are – an inspectors view to managing fire risk
Alexander Double BEng(Hons), BA(Hons) Arch, MCIOB, Managing Director, ADDC
Identifying your Programme Risks
Richard Fordyce, Laing O’Rouke and Co Chair Testing Group, Passive Fire Knowledge Group
A focus on fire stopping – mind the gap
Andy Taylor, Technical Officer, Association of Specialist Fire Protection
Panel discussion:
2:00pm – 3:10pm: Capturing and delivering clients needs, on time on budget every time
Introduction
Iain McIlwee, CEO Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) – SESSION CHAIR
Modern Methods of Procurement
Professor Stuart Green, University of Reading
Compliance, Collaboration and a focus on getting it right first time
Cliff Smith, Executive Director, Get it Right Initiative
Delivering Change through procurement and culture
Alison Nicholl, Head of Constructing Excellence
Panel discussion (joining the panel will be Jason Cissell, Head of Contracts, IOR)
3:30pm – 4:30pm: The Golden Thread – information management in construction
Welcome to the Digital Revolution
Mark Norton, ISG (Chair)
Developing your Digital Strategy, what is a Digital Information Plan
Iain McIlwee, CEO, Finishes and Interiors Sector
Using technology to support compliance, measure progress and avoid waste
Kate Hawkins, Pre-Contract Projects Director, Stanmore
Lining up a Golden Thread that works for everyone
Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director, NBS
The golden thread and smarter assets; how do we deliver and sustain them?
Bola Abisogun OBE, Founder & Executive Director of Urbanis Ltd
Panel discussion
10:15am – 11:15am: Future workspaces
Introduction
Vanessa Brady OBE, SBID
Introducing the workplace of the future
Mark Catchlove, Miller Knoll
The impact of commercial trends and leases on client demand
Sally Marshall, Turner and Townsend
Retrofitting Buildings, Meeting the Net Zero Challenge
Charles Begley, London Property Alliance
Panel discussion
11:35am – 12:35pm: Designing for Acoustic Excellence
Introduction
Joe Cilia, FIS Technical Director
Optimising acoustic comfort in the workspace
Andrew Parkin, Cundall
How do we measure performance to guarantee results
Ben Southgate, Sandy Brown
Acoustics Absorption doesn’t have to be baffling
Pascal Van Dort, Rockfon
10 mins Q&A
1:40pm – 2:40pm: People led design
Introduction
Joe Cilia, FIS Technical Director
Biophilic design and neurodiversity
Oliver Heath, Oliver Heath Design
Creating the modern office
Vidhi Sharma, Modus Workspace
Inspiring spaces – how we interact with our environment
Jamesina Sainsbury, MCM
10mins Q&A
3:00pm – 4:00pm: The fundamentals of sustainable design in fit-out
Introduction
Peter Kelly, ISG
Avoiding waste in the fit-out process
Katherine Adams, Re-usefully
Low carbon fit-out
Penny McCallum, BW
Re-use and the potential for urban mining
Adam Strudwick, Perkins&Will
Attend Workspace Design Show
Workspace Design Show is the networking platform for architects, designers and end-user occupiers, looking to equip themselves with the latest and most insightful trends around workplace interiors. Register now for a complimentary visitor pass and attend Workspace Design Show from 27 – 28 February 2024 at the Business Design Centre.