Join Us for Boundary & Access Day
AFI is pleased to be taking part in the upcoming Boundary & Access Day, hosted by Commtel on Friday 17 July 2026 in Crawley, West Sussex.
This practical industry event brings together leading organisations involved in fencing, gates, locks and access control to explore how these disciplines combine to create effective site boundary solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet manufacturers, suppliers and industry specialists, discuss real-world challenges and gain a greater understanding of how integrated boundary and access systems are designed and delivered.
Participating organisations include AFI, Commtel, Locinox, Suffolk Gates and Fastline Group, offering visitors the chance to see products and solutions first-hand and speak directly with the experts behind them.
As projects increasingly require multiple disciplines to work together, understanding how each element contributes to the wider solution has never been more important. Whether your interest lies in fencing, gates, automation, access control or perimeter security, this event promises valuable insight and networking opportunities.
Event Details
📅 Friday 17 July 2026
🕗 08:30 – 15:30
📍 Commtel, Orchard House, 39 Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9RB
Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
Places are limited, so if you have received an invitation, please confirm your attendance by replying to the invitation email.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Find out more here
Recognition Starts with an Entry
Every year, the UK Fencing Awards shine a spotlight on the projects, people and businesses that help drive our industry forward.
From major infrastructure schemes and innovative security installations to outstanding domestic projects, dedicated apprentices and industry-leading suppliers, the awards are an opportunity to celebrate the very best our sector has to offer.
This year’s awards will take place on 12th November at Old Trafford, where we’re delighted to welcome Sir Geoff Hurst as our guest speaker.
But before we get to the celebrations, we need your entries.
Whether you’ve completed a project you’re particularly proud of, want to recognise an exceptional apprentice, support a colleague through the new Women in Fencing category, or nominate someone for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, now is the time to get involved.
Award Categories
- Agricultural & Equine
- Domestic
- Gates & Barriers
- Industrial
- Sports & Education
- Security
- Temporary Fencing & Hoarding
- Highways & Railways
- Supplier of the Year
- Project of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- Women in Fencing
📩 Lifetime Achievement nominations: info@theafi.co.uk
👉 Enter now
Recognition starts with an entry. Don’t miss your opportunity to showcase your achievements and celebrate the people who make our industry great.
Professions Strategy
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is hosting webinars on Thursday 18 June and Monday 22 June to provide an overview of the call for evidence being undertaken to inform the development of a new strategy for built environment professions, trades and occupations. Both webinars will cover the same information, and members should register in advance.
FenceX 2027 Stand Bookings Now Open
The Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) is pleased to announce that stand bookings for FenceX 2027 are now officially open.
Returning to NAEC Stoneleigh, Hall 1, on Thursday 23 September 2027, FenceX will once again bring together professionals from across the fencing and perimeter security sector for a day dedicated to innovation, networking, product demonstrations and industry collaboration.
Following the record-breaking success of FenceX 2025, which welcomed more than 80 exhibitors and hundreds of visitors, preparations are already underway to deliver an even bigger and more impactful event in 2027.
FenceX has firmly established itself as the UK’s leading exhibition dedicated exclusively to the fencing and perimeter security industry, providing a valuable platform for manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and service providers to connect with customers, showcase new products and strengthen their presence within the market.
Early Bird Booking Scheme
To support exhibitors planning ahead, the AFI has introduced an Early Bird Booking Scheme, enabling companies to secure their stand for FenceX 2027 with just a 10% deposit.
The scheme has been designed to make early commitment more accessible while giving exhibitors the widest possible choice of stand locations.
With significant interest already being generated following the success of the previous event, members considering exhibiting are encouraged to reserve their space early.
Building on Success
FenceX 2025 featured the largest destruction testing programme ever seen at a UK fencing exhibition, alongside live demonstrations, technical seminars, networking opportunities and the popular Gate Automation Zone.
The 2027 event will build on these successful features while introducing new opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike, ensuring FenceX remains the industry’s premier showcase event.
Secure Your Place
Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or considering exhibiting for the first time, FenceX 2027 presents a valuable opportunity to engage with a highly targeted audience and demonstrate your products and services to key industry decision-makers.
For stand availability, pricing information or to reserve your space with a 10% deposit, please contact the FenceX team at fencex@theafi.co.uk.
We look forward to welcoming members and exhibitors to another successful FenceX in 2027.
Supporting Young People into Work in Construction
The independent report by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn analysing the trends and drivers behind the number of young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) is well worth reading and reinforces why the industry is facing significant skills challenges. With six in 10 NEETs having never had a job, the interim report describes a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges facing young people, including fewer entry level roles, an education system that prioritises qualifications over preparation for work, a rise in mental health conditions, and a welfare system that “pays for what a young person cannot do rather than investing in what they could become”.
Whilst 84% of NEETs surveyed wanted to find a job, education or training, taking on a young person is always a risk for an employer because they are ‘unproven’ and will require further assistance. Last month, Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol attended a roundtable hosted by Skills Minister Jacqui Smith, which discussed the opportunities employers could offer young people and the support required to manage the administration, supervision and cost to keep them in employment for the long term.
As part of ensuring that every young person has access to further education, training or a job, the Government’s ‘Youth Guarantee’ aims to create 200,000 jobs for young people by offering the following support to employers:
- Youth Jobs Grant – £3,000 for taking on a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for over six months – members can pre-register with Jobcentre Plus now and the funding is expected to be available this month
- Apprenticeship Incentive – £2,000 for SMEs taking on a new apprentice aged 16 to 24 – the funding can be combined with the Youth Jobs Grant and other financial incentives and will be available from October 2026
- Jobs Guarantee – Funding to provide a six‐month paid job for a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit for 18 months or more – it is currently being piloted in six areas and will be available via Delivery Partners in 25 areas across Great Britain from November 2026.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and CITB are hosting a webinar on Tuesday 23 June at 10:00am to help employers understand the range of support available, and members should email CITB to register.
Safety Spotlight: Hands Off, Step Away, Safe Space (HOSASS)
At AFI, we are committed to promoting safer lifting practices across the industry, which is why we are pleased to share awareness training on the Hands Off, Step Away, Safe Space (HOSASS) initiative.
Developed in response to serious incidents within the construction and lifting sectors, HOSASS encourages a simple but vital approach to safety: keep hands off loads wherever possible, step away from potential danger zones, and always position yourself in the safest space available.
Loads can move unexpectedly for a variety of reasons, even during routine lifts. HOSASS challenges traditional behaviours and encourages everyone involved in lifting operations to stop and consider whether they really need to be in close proximity to a load. By reducing unnecessary interaction with suspended or moving loads, we can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
The principles of HOSASS are not limited to lifting operations alone. They can be applied across many workplace activities where materials, equipment or plant have the potential to move, shift, trap or strike.
We encourage all members to take a few moments to review the guidance and consider how these principles can be incorporated into daily operations. Small changes in behaviour can make a significant difference in keeping people safe.
Together, we can continue to drive positive change and ensure that everyone returns home safely at the end of the working day.