SNIPEF

Just over six months into my term as President, I have been fortunate to meet many of you at meetings and events, as well as reading some of the lively discussions in our WhatsApp group. Yet wherever I have met members, the same things come through clearly: you care deeply about doing a good job, you look after your people and you are determined to keep your businesses moving forward and to do the right thing for the profession.

So, as we approach Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to share the three things that have stood out most to me this year.

First, apprenticeships still matter deeply to many of you, but they are becoming much harder to sustain. In our recent survey you were very clear that apprentices remain the lifeblood of the profession, yet rising wages, supervision costs and frozen government funding are forcing some very difficult decisions. The pull between doing the right thing and making the numbers work is something many of us are feeling. Having this evidence behind us strengthens SNIPEF’s hand as we continue to press government for the practical support you need.

Second, trading conditions remain tight for many, with the wider UK economy still feeling rather stuck in the doldrums. As an employer myself, I know this national malaise does little to inspire confidence, but I hope that in 2026 we begin to see a more positive outlook, particularly around housebuilding, a clearer direction for the low carbon agenda and better business support after the hammering felt this year.

Third, members continue to value being part of SNIPEF, but you have also been clear that we need to keep evolving to meet the needs of employers. I have heard that message loud and clear, and our new three year plan is focused on exactly that: strengthening member value, modernising skills support, improving our services and making SNIPEF easier to deal with.

A key part of this plan is the new SNIPEF Academy, which will provide a dedicated hub for skills development, from technical and compliance training through to wider business skills. The aim is simple, to help you keep your teams safe, compliant and confident as standards and technologies continue to change.

So, in the time I have left as President, I will keep pushing hard on all three of these areas. I cannot promise that everything will be delivered in the next few months, but I can promise that the foundations will be firmly in place to allow this work to continue.

Finally, looking ahead to next year, you may have seen that the World Plumbing Conference will take place as part of InstallerSHOW in June, with our own Chief Executive, Fiona Hodgson, speaking about the findings from the SNIPEF and Nesta Start at Home project. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow employers from around the world, see what others are doing and share experiences, and I would encourage you to attend if you can.