TrustMark Changes
TrustMark has issued a consultation on redeveloping the quality scheme for home improvement work to strengthen consumer protection. The proposed changes include TrustMark managing business registration, fee collection, and application and due‐diligence checks, whilst Scheme Providers validate the competence of a business. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 27 October.
FenceX 2027 – Plans Are Gathering Pace
It may still be almost a year away, but preparations for FenceX 2027 are already gathering pace, with exhibitors securing their stands and plans developing for another packed day at NAEC Stoneleigh.
Following the record-breaking success of FenceX 2025, we’re building on the elements that made the event such a great day for the industry – bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and industry professionals alongside demonstrations, education, competitions and plenty of opportunities to catch up and do business.
Visitors can already look forward to:
- Live Attack Destruction Testing
- Gate Automation Demonstrations
- Best Practice Day Demonstrations
- Industry-Specific Seminars
- Closeboard Speed Competition
- Latest Products & Innovations
- Networking with Industry Professionals
- Leading Manufacturers in One Place
And there’s more in the pipeline, with further features to be announced as plans develop.
Thinking of Exhibiting?
Stand bookings are already underway, and if your business is considering exhibiting, there’s a good reason to get your space sorted before the end of the year.
Our Early Bird Booking Scheme runs until 31 December 2026, allowing exhibitors to secure an indoor stand with just a 10% deposit and spread the remaining cost across 2027.
Booking early also means a wider choice of stand locations while they’re still available.
Want to see what’s available?
Contact fencex@theafi.co.uk for the latest floorplan, pricing and stand availability.
- Thursday 23 September 2027
- NAEC Stoneleigh
Diesel Hits £2 a Litre – Are You Using Your AFI Fuel Discount?
With diesel prices now reaching record levels, the cost of keeping vans and vehicles on the road is becoming an even bigger expense for fencing businesses.
The average UK price of diesel has now passed £2 per litre for the first time, with a 55-litre fill-up costing around £110.
So this feels like a good time to remind members about one of the practical savings available through your AFI membership.
Save 4p per litre with UK Fuels
AFI members can access a 4p per litre discount through UK Fuels, helping to reduce the cost of keeping your business moving.
Four pence might not sound huge on a single litre – but for contractors covering thousands of miles each year, running several vehicles or regularly filling vans and pickups, those savings can soon add up.
For example:
- 80-litre fill-up = £3.20 saved
- 100 litres a week = £208 saved over a year
- 500 litres a week across a fleet = £1,040 saved over a year
And with fuel prices where they are now, every saving on day-to-day business costs counts.
If you’re already an AFI member but aren’t making use of the UK Fuels benefit, now might be a very good time to take another look.
Your AFI membership could be saving you money every time you fill up.
An Afternoon with a Footballing Legend – Sir Geoff Hurst at the UK Fencing Awards!
With just over three weeks to go until the 2026 UK Fencing Industry Awards, excitement is building for what promises to be a truly memorable day at Old Trafford on Thursday 12 November.
And this year, we have a very special guest joining us!
Sir Geoff Hurst, one of English football’s most celebrated figures and the only man to score a hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final, will be joining us to share stories and memories from his remarkable career, before helping us celebrate the achievements of our own industry’s finest.
From that unforgettable afternoon at Wembley in 1966 to the legendary surroundings of Old Trafford, it’s certainly a fitting setting for an occasion dedicated to recognising excellence!
Guests will also enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes stadium tour, a champagne reception and a three-course lunch, before the spotlight turns to our 2026 finalists and the eagerly anticipated announcement of this year’s winners.
The UK Fencing Industry Awards are about much more than trophies. They’re an opportunity to bring our industry together, recognise exceptional workmanship, innovation and dedication, and celebrate the people and businesses who continue to raise standards across the sector.
One iconic venue. One footballing legend. One fantastic industry to celebrate.
Thursday 12 November 2026, 10am-5pm
Old Trafford, Manchester
The countdown is on – we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Old Trafford!
Best Practice Put to the Test at Kirkley Hall
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Kirkley Hall last Thursday for the AFI & AFA Autumn Best Practice Day.
Contractors, students and industry professionals came together for a practical day focused not simply on how fencing should be installed – but why good practice matters.
And our demonstration team certainly put that to the test!
One of the key themes of the day was deliberately comparing poor practice with correctly installed fencing. Different approaches to strainers, strutting, footing, wire termination and installation techniques were demonstrated before being put under pressure to see exactly what happened – proving that a correctly installed hand – dug post will easily outperform a post which has been incorrectly installed – even by a machine!
Alongside the testing, the team worked with both stock and deer netting, using the ground conditions at Kirkley Hall to demonstrate practical techniques for dealing with slopes, dips and varying conditions on site.
Most importantly, the day created plenty of discussion. Contractors were able to ask questions, compare methods and share their own experience – exactly what AFI & AFA Best Practice Days are intended to encourage.
Thank you
Our thanks go to our fantastic demonstration team for sharing their time, skills and experience; to the manufacturers, suppliers and partners who supported the day; and to Northumberland College – Kirkley Hall Campus for hosting us.
And, of course, thank you to everyone who came along, got involved and helped make the day what it was.
We’ll be sharing footage of some of the highlights from the day – so keep an eye out for that.
Missed Kirkley Hall? Keep an eye on Members News and our social channels for details of future AFI & AFA Best Practice Days.
Member Benefit Spotlight: Less Admin, More Time on Site with WorXflo
Running a fencing business shouldn’t mean spending your evenings catching up on paperwork!
From responding to enquiries and preparing quotations to scheduling jobs, managing employees, keeping records and chasing invoices, there’s a lot more to running a fencing business than the work carried out on site.
And when information is spread across spreadsheets, paperwork and different software systems, keeping on top of everything can become a job in itself.
That’s where WorXflo, an AFI member benefit, could help.
WorXflo is a business management platform that brings the day-to-day running of your business together in one place, helping to simplify administration and improve efficiency.
What can WorXflo help you manage?
- Enquiries and quotations – keep track of potential customers and new business opportunities.
- Job scheduling – organise work, allocate teams and monitor progress.
- Staff and HR – manage employee information, training, qualifications and availability.
- Documents and records – keep important information organised and accessible.
- Invoicing and accounts – streamline billing and connect with accounting systems.
- On-site information – use mobile tools to capture job details, photographs and customer sign-offs.
Whether you’re juggling multiple fencing projects, managing a growing team or simply looking for a better way to organise the business, having everything in one place could save valuable time.
Exclusive AFI Member Benefit
AFI members can access discounted rates with WorXflo, making it worth exploring if you’re looking to streamline your business administration.
After all, the less time you spend managing paperwork, the more time you have to concentrate on the work that matters.
Could your business be working smarter?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORXFLO AND YOUR AFI MEMBER DISCOUNT