Welcome to the NHMF Service Provider Forum.

The Service Provider Forum was established in 2012 as the trade affiliation for providers working in the field of social housing.

Our goal is to create closer working relationships between providers, clients and sub-providers and we work closely with the NHMF to promote best practice in the procurement and management of repairs.

Benefits

Membership is open to any provider providing maintenance services to managed housing. Each company membership includes two named representatives who are eligible to attend meetings and events.

Our members have the opportunity to:

• Participate in meetings and shape the development of products and services that are widely used across the sector.
• Get involved in areas of particular interest to you, including NHMF conferences, seminars and events.
• Stay informed on the latest updates to products and services which come under the NHMF banner.

Aims

• To drive best practice and innovation of repairs and maintenance services through knowledge sharing, both within and from outside the housing sector
• To work with the NHMF on the work of M3 in developing and promoting the M3NHF Schedule of Rates, to keep them up to date with best practice in repairs procurement
• To strengthen relationships across the sector through networking

Click here to read the NHMF objectives

How we work

The Forum meets together rather than dividing into groups by size or region. This promotes better informed discussion, taking into account different perspectives. The meetings are held four times a year and usually take place in the mornings to make the best use of everyone’s time. Sessions include a talk from an external speaker to shape the discussion around key themes which have been suggested by our members.

Membership

Our members include a wide range of providers, from household names to SMEs and specialist sub-providers.

For many years the NHMF has had at least one provider represented on its committee to ensure that it understands fully the providers' perspective when developing the M3NHF Schedule of Rates and related products. Providers have also been involved in various training sessions and conferences in order to promote best practice.

The NHMF is keen to involve them at an earlier stage in the consultation process when developing the schedules and diagnostic systems that are now used by nearly all social housing providers.

Our members

                       

Annual Membership Fees

What have we done so far?

• Contributed to the Procurement Guide published by the NHF.
• Suggested the M3NHF Schedule of Rates long description Application.
• Consulted on M3NHF Schedule of Rates Version 7.
• Contributed sessions at a variety of events including the NHMF Conference, training days and the NHMF Study Tour.

Meeting Topics (2020 - 2024)

• Asset Management - what are the benefits & challenges?
• Commercial NHF SORs from a provider’s perspective - interpretation & refinement, alternative pricing models.
• Compliance - fire safety, high rise cladding, what is FRA? Managing asbestos.
• Customer Service - the customer journey, measuring satisfaction, learning from other sectors.
• Legal Disrepair legislation & best practice - the role of the Regulator for Social Housing Materials Management.
• Just in time - lean production, learning from other sectors, what can we learn from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply?
• Procurement best practice - processes, OJEU, tendering.
• Skills Training & development for the workforce - leadership & behaviour