Firstly, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, are recharged and ready for the New Year ahead.
As we close 2025 and step boldly into 2026, I want to reflect not only on what we have achieved together but on the extraordinary possibilities that lie ahead. Our name change in October has already opened new doors, and I am looking forward to what the next year will bring as we continue to build upon great foundations laid since our launch in 2006.
2025 was a testament to the strength, resilience, and ingenuity of our humble, but powerful organisation. We have not simply adapted to change; we have shaped it. From leading the Fitted Interiors Competency Framework Working Group to introducing AI into our operations, bringing in new members of the team, we have laid the foundations for a future where professionalism, innovation, and trust define every aspect of our part of the industry. We saw two record breaking months in 2025 for new applications, which is by no coincidence. We've worked hard in our outreach to new professional fitted interiors specialists.
The BIFIS Annual Awards in Westminster celebrated excellence once again and reminded us that recognition is the heartbeat of progress – for far too long, unsung heroes have represented our industry on the frontline without a spotlight, and we changed that, which is something I am particularly proud of.
The Installer Magazine reached its 40th edition, amplifying the voice of our sector and those who operate on the frontline – a proud publication that is led by Clara and Martin, built upon solid foundations laid by Andrew Davies in the early days, then Rob and Janine Nichols, who digitalised the publication, bringing it to the fingertips of thousands of subscribers internationally. Next year will see it's evolution take a new gear as the magazine becomes Installer Insight within a new digital home.
The global partnership with the NKBA continued to grow stronger as we share strategy to overcome international challenges, none more important that the growing skills gap. A new domestic relationship with UKATA kicked off bolstering our stance on safety.
Our relationship with The InstallerSHOW hit new heights this year, with even more exciting plans for 2026 already progressing, including the relocation of our awards and conference to the National Exhibition Centre to coincide with the show and to meet its physical growth. I want to thank Mike and David at Lyrical in particular for their incredible support.
We welcomed visionary leaders to our Strategic Advisory Board, ensuring that our direction is guided by experience and ambition, with representation from manufacturers, training partners, retailers and installers key to its success. Many thanks to Billy Quinn, Simon Acres, Dr Stuart Lawrence, Hayley Robson, Mark Conacher for their support with the board and to our patron Calvin Bailey MBE MP for his support in connecting BIFIS to central government.
2025 has had some lows, and it would be remiss of me not to mention the passing of some special people. Geoffrey Jackson, one of our incredible inspectors, and more importantly my father-in-law, passed away at the hands of a cruel disease in February – Motor Neuron Disease (MND / ALS). This not only brought sorrow to the BIFIS family, but to my own too – it was a tough, tough time. I want to announce that our official charity partner for 2026 will be the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation in memory of Geoff.
We also learned that our dear friend Andy ‘Bish’ Bishop from InstallerSHOW unexpectedly passed away in October. Andy was a larger than life, familiar character that had a rich and long connection with the KBB sector – a loveable guy that will be missed by many, including me and my team.
Beyond our sector, the world has faced uncertainty. Economic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, and the urgent call for climate action. Yet even in this complexity, opportunity shines. The UK economy shows signs of stability, COP30 has set bold climate finance goals, and AI governance is advancing globally. These are signals that the future belongs to those who innovate responsibly, act sustainably, and lead with purpose. That is exactly what we intend to do.
Our vision for 2026 is clear and compelling: to embed competence as the cornerstone of our profession, to champion safety as a non-negotiable standard, to harness technology as a force for good, and to embrace sustainability as a shared responsibility. We will not just respond to change; we will define it. We will create pathways for a new generation of talent, elevate standards, and ensure a collaboration of people and brands lead the necessary change to navigate whatever lies ahead.
We take a significant, and overdue, gear-change in our work expanding retail partners and advocate (corporate) supporters in 2026. This is an area with tremendous growth opportunities, and we have struggled to find a solution that would deliver the required internal focus to help it realise its true potential. We will be making our first announcement of the New Year next week, where we roadmap our exciting plans and importantly the person who will lead the charge. We are under no illusion that our work is entirely dependent upon the industry to support it, so I make an urgent call to all areas of the fitted interiors sector to either remain strong in their support of BIFIS, or to get involved.
We have so much planned for 2026, not limited to our Schools Outreach Programme: Engaging thousands of school aged children and young adults, bringing the fitted interiors sector to the next generation. Exhibitions: KBB in March and our unique collaboration with InstallerSHOW in June. Regional Roundtables: A series of ongoing networking meetings across the UK bringing existing and potential stakeholders together. Mobile App Upgrade: A new and improved mobile app for members and the wider industry. Skills Hub Launch: An online platform for the entire industry to list training and development opportunities for all. AiM Opens to All: Our Accredited Installation Methods Certification becomes available to all fitted interior specialist retailers of all sizes. Redefined Stakeholder Proposition: Following extensive partner research in 2025, we redefine our proposition to all stakeholders with new benefits for all. New Registration Categories Welcomed: Following our name change in 2025, we open the first new category to the Institute to specialist flooring businesses.
We’re then left with the small matter of an important milestone for our organisation. In 2026, BIFIS celebrates its twentieth anniversary and we have some modest plans afoot.
It’s been a phenomenal two decades, with highs and lows, and remarkable growth. I remember conceptualising iKBBI (as it was) as an ambitious younger man, with hopes that an industry specific institute could deliver positive change to a sector in need. I never thought it would be capable of achieving so much, so soon, which is testament to so many. I’ll choose to reminisce more in the New Year, but as we move into 2026, I do so with great pride in what we’ve collectively built.
To our members, retail partners, corporate members, and strategic partners: thank you for your unwavering commitment and collaboration. You are the lifeblood of this industry, and together we have proven that progress is not a dream, it is a decision. To my team that work tirelessly for the industry, I give praise of incredible effort and humble thanks for your trust in me as we continue to grow. You can be very proud of what we’re achieving – it’s truly extraordinary.
As we enter 2026, let us choose to be bold, choose to lead, and choose to make this year a turning point for our sector and for the communities we serve. Let’s not be distracted by the here and now, let’s ensure our focus remains on the medium-to-long-term success of our businesses and in recognition that installation plays an important role in the overall success of our industry. Decisions we make today will ripple in eternity, so let’s work together and continue the great collaborative momentum we’ve achieved over two decades.
The future is ours to shape, and it begins now.
Wishing you and your teams a healthy, successful, and inspiring New Year.
See our gallery below for some of 2025 in pictures >>
EDUCATION | STANDARDS | SUSTAINABILITY | COMPLIANCE |
