The organisation formerly known as the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) today officially becomes The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS).

The name change marks an important milestone in the institute’s ongoing evolution and reflects its broadened role within the fitted interiors sector. BIFIS remains the only Government-sanctioned institute focused on driving positive change and improving installation standards across the industry, supporting all areas of the sector.

Damian Walters, CEO of BIFIS, said, “Today is about looking forward. For almost two decades, we have supported our registered businesses, stakeholders and the wider industry, and our new name reflects the breadth of that support. While the letters above our door may have changed, our commitment to driving standards, nurturing talent and building consumer trust remains exactly the same.”

BIFIS launches with a refreshed visual identity and a new brand toolkit, which has been circulated to all BIFIS stakeholders with a request to all registered businesses, partners and other stakeholders to utilise these resources to ensure their channels reflect the name change, delivering a smooth transition and alignment across the industry.

Walters added, “This is more than a new name. It’s a renewed commitment to the people and businesses we serve, and to ensuring that fitted interiors specialists are recognised for the skill and professionalism they bring to homes across Britain.”

To obtain the BIFIS brand toolkit or to obtain more information on the name change, please email comms@bifis.org.

Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder of real estate finance specialist ASK Partners, has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to deliver urgent and decisive action in the Autumn Budget to restore confidence and stimulate growth in the housing market.

In an open letter to the Chancellor, Austin warns that the market is stagnating under the weight of speculation and uncertainty, with investors, developers, and homebuyers adopting a “wait and see” approach in response to mooted tax reforms – including the extension of National Insurance to landlords, a potential overhaul of capital gains tax, and replacing stamp duty with an annual property levy.

“Each policy under discussion may have fiscal merit,” Austin writes, “but they risk serious unintended consequences – from worsening supply and regional inequality to creating multibillion-pound revenue gaps.”

He argues that the uncertainty alone is paralysing activity – and without clarity, the fragile signs of recovery seen in recent house price and mortgage data could quickly fade.

The letter outlines seven key priorities for the Chancellor to consider this October:

Tax clarity – End speculation and ensure any reforms are phased, predictable and tied to supply-side incentives.

Support SME housebuilders – Restore the SME sector with planning support, small site access, and equity funding.

Fix the planning system – Remove political bottlenecks and fund private sector support to speed up approvals.

Tackle labour shortages – Back off-site construction to bring in younger, more diverse talent.

Revive social housing – Reform compulsory purchase to allow councils to deliver at real scale.

Accelerate brownfield delivery – Grant automatic planning for ESG-compliant regeneration projects.

Unlock investment – Rebuild investor confidence with clear, long-term frameworks for capital deployment.

“Housing has historically led the UK out of downturns,” says Austin. “The sector is ready to deliver – but we need credible, long-term policy, not short-term signals.”

He notes that the UK continues to fall well short of the 385,000 new homes per year needed to address affordability and economic growth – and calls for radical reform rather than reactive changes.

Messe Frankfurt is expanding its portfolio in the Central Asian market and, with the Intelligent Building Expo 2026, is organising its first-ever technical trade fair in Uzbekistan.

The new trade fair will take place in Tashkent from May 20 to 22, 2026. The areas included in its product portfolio are heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water supply; lighting and building automation; security technology; and IT security.

As Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt, emphasises: “With our strong trade fair brands ISH, Light + Building and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the leading events relating to integrated and smart building technology, security technology and fire protection in its portfolio.

“We are very pleased that the Intelligent Building Expo will now allow us to bring together selected product areas from all three of these trade fairs. The new format gives us the opportunity to meet the needs of the region and to expand our expertise in Central Asia.”

The Intelligent Building Expo showcases cutting-edge technologies in climate and water management, lighting, and security systems. Serving as a key meeting point for manufacturers, architects, engineers, and government representatives, it marks the eighth event that Messe Frankfurt has hosted in Uzbekistan, following successful exhibitions such as Automechanika Tashkent and Heimtextil Uzbekistan.

In partnership with Business Media Central Asia (BMCA), Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its presence in the region. BMCA, a regional leader, oversees Messe Frankfurt’s events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Uzbekistan has become one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with over 57,000 active companies, many of which are involved in construction and urban development. This rapid growth presents significant opportunities for international businesses offering solutions in energy efficiency, water management, and building security.

The European Union recently announced a €12 billion investment in energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity, further solidifying the country’s status as a key market for sustainable development.