The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has joined the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC).

As the latest organisation to join the NHIC, the FMB's Director of External Affairs Sarah McMonagle will sit on the Leaders Council.

The FMB will work alongside companies, trade associations and accreditation providers such as British Gas, Which? Trusted Trader and NAPIT for building services. It will play a key part in NHIC's data gathering, information sharing and sector engagement strategies.

Ms McMonagle said: "The FMB is the largest construction trade association in the UK and represents the thousands of small building firms which will actually deliver the improvements to our existing homes that the Government's carbon reduction target demands.


"However, if we are going to raise standards in this arena, we should not limit ourselves to energy efficiency and renewables work – we must be even more ambitious and raise standards right across the private domestic sector and then seek the financial incentives from the Government to stimulate demand for these improvements among consumers."

Anna Scothern, Executive Director at the NHIC, added: "The FMB is one part of an expanding NHIC membership, which brings together all aspects of the home improvement sector.

"As well as providing members with knowledge sharing and business development opportunities, the NHIC celebrates innovation and provides consumers with impartial advice to help them safely improve the quality, energy efficiency and living standards within their home."

(LM/MH)