WHAT’S NEW?


GOVERNMENT LISTENS TO CFA AND MEMBERS ON FLOORING


In the wake of Grenfell, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is reshaping how the built environment workforce is trained, recognised and held accountable. Its call for evidence, ‘Strategy for the Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations’, asked 79 questions spanning the full building lifecycle, from design through to occupation and maintenance.


Flooring rarely gets a seat at tables like this. Subcontracted deep in the supply chain, our sector knows the realities of risk transfer, retention withholding and price- led procurement all too well. So, in August 2026, the Contract Flooring Association submitted its own response, shaped by direct member experience, covering design and specification, site conditions, competence and accountability.


Richard Catt, CEO, said: “We argued against blanket statutory licensing and instead made the case for building on what already works: CFA membership, the CSCS framework, and proportionate, sector-recognised competence schemes. We asked government to recognise trade bodies like ours as delivery partners, not to duplicate what already exists.


“This is exactly the kind of work CFA does on members’ behalf: engaging with government, building the evidence base, and making sure flooring’s voice is heard before decisions are made, not after.


“Members are seeing more of this work first, including the detail behind our submission, briefings from Build UK and the CLC, and the chance to help shape our position as the strategy develops. If you’re already a member, look out for more in the members’ area.


HEADLAM GROUP ENTERS ADMINISTRATION AS RESTRUCTURING BEGINS


Headlam Group has entered formal administration, with administrators continuing to trade the business while implementing a restructuring plan following a period of significant financial pressure.


Will Wright, Chris Pole and Ryan Grant of Interpath were appointed as joint administrators to Headlam Group plc and its trading subsidiary HFD Limited on 8 September, following the company’s notice of intention to appoint administrators on 1 September.


The administration is intended to provide time to stabilise operations and pursue a comprehensive restructuring. The proposed plan is expected to include a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), refinancing of the group’s existing debt facilities and a programme of cost reductions. Subject to stakeholder support, Headlam intends to seek restoration of its suspended listing.


As part of immediate cost-cutting measures, 28 trade counters have closed, with 154 employees made redundant. The remaining 48 trade counters and all 17 distribution centres continue to operate. Prior to the restructuring, the group employed more than 1,300 people.


The group said challenging market conditions, significant losses and projected short-term losses meant it was unable to implement its transformation plan within the constraints of its available funding. It had also exhausted the liquidity available under its existing financing arrangements, resulting in breaches of its month-end financial covenants.


Will Wright, UK CEO at Interpath and joint administrator to Headlam Group plc, said: “Headlam is a well-established British company with a heritage stretching back more than 30 years, and the feedback we’ve received from customers and suppliers in recent days reinforces that there remains market demand for the business.


“Our immediate priority is to those employees whose roles have been lost as a result of today’s site closures. We


understand this is devastating news and we are committed to ensuring that everyone impacted receives the support and information they need as quickly as possible.


“For the rest of the business, our focus is on implementing a restructuring that will give Headlam the best chance possible of recovery. Subject to the ongoing support of the Group’s key stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, we believe the proposed plan provides a credible path to stabilising the business.”


The future structure and scale of the group will become clearer as the administration and restructuring process progresses.


www.headlam.com


“If you’re not, this is exactly why it’s worth joining. When policy decisions get made, CFA members are in the room, briefed early and able to influence the outcome, not simply told about it afterwards.”


www.cfa.org.uk


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www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk


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