After more than two years of talks the Association of Interior Specialist and Federation of Plastering and Dry Wall Contractors yesterday signed off a merge deal that creates a  single voice for the sector.

Angela Mansell, director at Stockport-based Mansell Finishes becomes the first president of AIS FPDC and aims to champion the cause of fair payment in the industry.

As part of that drive the new body has signed up to the Government’s new Payment Charter.

She added: “Together we will campaign to improve standards and tackle head on any incidents of bad practice.

“Training and skills will be at the top of the new association’s agenda as the sector needs to recruit 1,000 new entrants every year.”

Former AIS chief executive David Frise, now leader of AIS FPDC,  said: “The whole of industry wants
to deal with bigger organisations. So it makes sense to come together.

“You get a bigger voice;  you can do more when you have more members.

“The whole fit-out industry is coming together. I think there will  be further consolidation – just look  at unions and businesses. There is huge consolidation going on everywhere.”