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Category: FAME News

  • FAME Becomes a Supporter of the Considerate Constructors Scheme

    The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (FAME) is proud to announce that  we have become a supporter of the Considerate Constructors scheme. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a not-for-profit, independent organisation founded in 1997 by the construction industry to improve its best practice. Construction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the Scheme and agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements. The main areas of concern fall into three categories: the general public, the workforce and the environment.

    Kenneth Aitchison, CEO of FAME said, “I’m delighted that FAME has become a Supporter of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Archaeological remains are a record of past lives and environments, and investigating them through commercial archaeology has become an embedded part of the construction process. FAME members are committed to working in partnership with considerate constructors to explore, record and explain the past as it is revealed through the construction process”.

  • Trial Pitting Questionnaire – Responses by 31st October

    Trial Pitting Questionnaire – Responses by 31st October

    FAME have been in discussions with AGS – the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists – and we consider that a mutual understanding regarding trial pitting for construction and archaeology / cultural heritage would be very useful to both sets of members.

     AGS have asked us to circulate this letter and questionnaire which has been developed by representatives of the AGS Safety Working Group to determine the current industry practices for trial pitting, with the aim of verifying or otherwise that it meets the standards of “good practice”.  FAME H&S Group and the AGS Safety WG are also aware that over time, some practitioners will have gained experience of using modern technology or approaches to address the fall risk in different ways, and they would like to collate experiences of this.  Further information regarding the questionnaire can be found in the attached letter.

    It is intended the outcomes from this questionnaire survey will be covered in a session at the upcoming AGS “Safety in Mind” conference in Birmingham in November this year, and thereafter contribute to updating AGS guidance. Depending on the results we could look to see whether a mutual guidance note or similar could be developed.

    FAME H&S Group would therefore request that you circulate / disseminate the questionnaire amongst your staff who are engaged in trial pitting, or alternatively respond on their behalf before the 31st October 2019.  All responses will be treated anonymously and no individuals or companies will be named in any collation or dissemination of conclusions.

    Please send responses directly to Katie Kennedy at AGS ags@ags.org.uk. However if anyone has any queries or wishes to discuss it or the issues surrounding please contact steve.everton@jacobs.com of the AGS Safety Working Group.

    Thank you for your assistance.

    Kenneth Aitchison

    FAME CEO

    Documents

    AGS TP Questionaire MASTER August 2019

    Trial Pitting Qu Letter Sept 19

  • HS2 Meeting – Input required

    HS2 Meeting – Input required

    Dear Members,

    Ros Seal from HS2 spoke at the FAME Forum in June 2019, and she asked FAME to bring any issues that members were having working on HS2 to her attention.

    Tim Malim and I will be meeting with Ros and other HS2 representatives, so please send details of anything you would like us to raise on your behalf to me at ceo@famearchaeology.co.uk by Monday 14th October.

    Best wishes

    FAME CEO

    Kenneth

     

  • FAME Members Can Now Pay Dues by Direct Debit

    To reduce the administrative load on some of our members FAME has now set up direct debits through the provider GoCardless. With direct debit one only needs to signup once to make annual payments instead of having to pay invoices every year. For current members to sign up for direct debit please use the following links:

    Sole Traders can sign up here – https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0002H4GDH3W7

    Those with 2-5 employees here – https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0002FZDN6CJT 

    Those with 6-50 employees – https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0002H2ESPJMS

    And those with 51+ employees – https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0002FZDXP6RG

    Not a member? Learn more about joining FAME here – https://famearchaeology.co.uk/what-we-do/join/

  • CIRIA Archaeology in Construction seminar

    FAME have been supporting CIRIA (Construction Industry Research & Information Agency) in the preparation of case studies to accompany CIRIA’s existing publication – Archaeology and development – a good practice guide to managing risk and maximising benefit.

    On 4th July 2019, CIRIA will be holding an Archaeology in Construction seminar (click link to register)

     

    Archaeological remains within a development can present significant risks to the project programme and cost if not managed well. However, when assessed early and managed well, the risks can be reduced, and Archaeology can bring a positive benefit to the development. This seminar will present case studies, good practice and lessons learned from managing Archaeology in construction.

    Background
    Archaeological finds on a construction site – whether expected or unexpected – can lead to delays and costs to project programmes.Examples of the historic environment in terrestrial, intertidal or marine locales present opportunities to add value to development projects.

    The opportunity to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits and lasting legacy potential provided by the historic environment can be realised from early identification and integration into project design through to incorporation into the built asset.

    These benefits can range from creating community / amenity spaces to providing educational resources as well as the potential to generate income (eg increased tourism) and contributing to creation of a lasting legacy through the preservation of examples of the UK’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

    Why attend

    Delegates at the event will:

    • Hear a selection of case studies which will present good practice and lessons learned for managing archaeology in construction
    • Network with industry professionals and peers

    Programme
    13:30   Registration
    14:00   Chair’s Introduction
    Abigail Bryant, Wessex Archaeology
    14:15   Adding value through archaeology:
    Otterpool Park Garden Settlement, A Case Study
    Jenny Wylie, Arcadis
    14:35   The HS2 Historic Environment Research and Delivery Strategy –
    development, implementation and lessons learned.
    Dr john Halsted, HS2
    14:55   Delivering Current Infrastructure : An Archaeological Contractors View
    Russel Coleman, Headland Archaeology
    15:15   London Crossrail Project – adding value to the project community and
    public objectives through archaeology and cultural heritage
    Jay Carver, 4AD consultants
    15:35   TBC,
    Ed Wilson, Environment Agency
    15:50   Q&A
    16:30   Close

    Programme subject to change

     

    Speakers
    Abigail Bryant, Wessex Archaeology (Chair)
    Jay Carver, 4AD consultants
    Jenny Wylie, Arcadis
    Russel Coleman, Headland Archaelogy
    John Halsted, HS2

    When
    Thursday 4th July
    14:00 – 16:30
    (registration from 13:30)

    Where
    CIRIA offices
    Griffin Court
    15 long lane
    EC1A 9PN


    Fees

    CIRIA members: free
    Other attendees: £95 + VAT

  • Final Agenda for FAME Forum 2019

    FAME Forum 2019: Building a Healthier Workplace

    Friday 21st June 2019, 9.30am
    Merchant Taylors Hall, Aldwark, York, YO1 7BX

    Agenda
    The day begins with registration and coffee at 9.30

    9.45 -10.00 Welcome and Introduction
    Chris Brayne, CEO Wessex Archaeology, Vice Chair of FAME

    10.00 -10.25 Why business needs to take mental health seriously
    Dr Christian Van Stolk, The RAND Institute

    10.25 -10.50 The construction industry response to mental health
    Joscelyne Shaw, Mates in Mind

    10.50 -11.20 Tea and Coffee/Networking break

    11.20-11.45 Building diversity –the CIfA Equality and Diversity Special Interest Group
    Alex Grassam, CIfA Equality & Diversity SIG

    11.45-12.10 Enabling archaeologists
    Theresa O’Mahony & Sarah Botfield, The Enabled Archaeology Foundation

    12.10 -12.30 Working with MIND to build a safe culture on the ground
    Alli Preece, Head of HR and Facilities, Cotswold Archaeology

    12.30-13.30 Buffet Lunch

    13.30-14.00 Safety and supply chains on UK mega projects: lessons for archaeology
    Ros Seal, HS2

    14.00 – 14.20 Discussion: How can FAME help to build a safer workplace?
    (Moderator: Dan Poore)

    14.20 – 14.45 The shape we’re in: commercial archaeology in 2019
    Doug Rocks-Macqueen, Deputy CEO, FAME

    14.45 – 15.10 21st century challenges for the commercial sector
    Jen Parker Wooding, CIfA

    15.10 – 15.30 Discussion: What are the key issues for UK commercial archaeology over the next 12 months? What does FAME need to do?
    (Moderator: Tim Malim)

    15.30-15.45 Tea and Coffee.

    The conference will close at 15.45

  • FAME Quarterly Market Confidence Index Report Q4 2018

    The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (FAME) is the voice of archaeological employers and managers in the United Kingdom, and the only organisation solely devoted to representing their interests within the profession and the business world. FAME started life in 1975 as the Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers, before changing the name to FAME in 2008, to reflect more closely our purpose and membership.

    The vision of FAME is to strive for a business environment where archaeological organisations can operate safely and sustainably, the well-being of employees is prioritised and archaeologists feel empowered to build careers and expertise, so that collectively we can conserve and advance knowledge of the past for the benefit of society.

    As part of this vision we support research into the sector. For example, with funding from Historic England and in partnership with the Charted Institute for Archaeologists we have commissioned Landward Research Ltd to conduct annual surveys of our members to gain a wealth of information about the archaeological sector. Part of this research examines the confidence of employers in the business environment. This material helps to estimate future job and resource demand. To get more refined information FAME has decided to launch a quarterly survey of its members’ confidence in the current market.

    You can read the results of the first quarterly survey here: FAME Quarterly Market Confidence Index 4thQ 2018

  • FAME Welcomes New CEO

    The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers is very pleased to announce the appointment of its new CEO, Dr Kenneth Aitchison, who takes up the post from the beginning of May 2019. Kenneth is a founder and director of Landward Research Ltd and has been actively involved in high level engagement with UK and European governmental, political and national agencies, representing the archaeological profession and commercial archaeological practice. A graduate of Edinburgh and Sheffield Universities, over his 30 years career Kenneth has been a field archaeologist, a project manager, Head of Projects and Professional Development for the Institute for Archaeologists, Skills Strategy Manager for Icon, the Institute of Conservation, and he was awarded his doctorate for his ground-breaking research into the structure and composition of the archaeological profession in the UK. At Landward he has specialised in labour market research, identifying sectoral skills needs and capacity building requirements, through undertaking skills surveys that build up trend data and identify and address skills gaps within the sector.

    He takes over from Nick Shepherd who has led FAME successfully over the past four years, developing its influence and profile as the voice of commercial archaeology, extending its membership into the Republic of Ireland as well as the UK. FAME’s Chairman Tim Malim says “I am delighted to have Kenneth join the company, and look forward to working with him to help deliver our shared future vision for the association. Although we will be sad to see Nick leave as we are very grateful for the huge contribution he has made during his time in post, I and the board are all excited to harness the experience and contacts that Kenneth brings, so that we can explore fresh opportunities which will help grow our advocacy and member services during the next three years and beyond”.

    7th May 2019

    New CEO talking with board members after latest FAME board meeting. Photo credit C.Brayne

  • FAME endorses new metal detecting body

    The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (FAME) welcomes the intention to set up an Institute of Detectorists. We support the principle of a regulatory body to educate and influence the behaviour of metal-detector users and requiring adherence to the Code of Practice and archaeological principles. The introduction of a registration system for metal detector users who comply with these principles and who may in the future be able to use such membership as a means to acquire CSCS cards would be of benefit to FAME members; we await further information about how the Institute will develop.

    http://www.detectorists.org.uk/

  • Bullying, harassment and discrimination: a joint statement by CIfA, FAME and the Prospect Archaeologists’ Branch

    Bullying, harassment and discrimination: a joint statement by CIfA, FAME and the Prospect Archaeologists’ Branch

    We acknowledge that the problems of bullying, harassment and discrimination which exist in society are also present in our profession and that addressing them requires a change of culture. We recognise that, as well as causing significant harm to individuals, failure to address these issues leads to the loss of talented professionals from the sector and hampers our ability to recruit the archaeologists of the future.

    We acknowledge that many organisations have policies and procedures in place in relation to equal opportunities and to bullying and/or harassment but recognise that further training and support may be needed to ensure that they are effective.

    We have different perspectives on the problem, reflecting the different remits of our organisations, but share a common interest in, and commitment to, ensuring that our profession is a safe, healthy and respectful environment for all who work in it.

    We agree that the profession has a collective responsibility for addressing the problem and that each organisation should encourage its members to work together to find solutions.

    In support of this, CIfA, FAME and the Prospect Archaeologists’ Branch are committed to

    • supporting and promoting the message that bullying, harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated across the profession
    • supporting their members to comply with the law and with professional standards
    • identifying, promoting and encouraging good practice in dealing with bullying, harassment and discrimination
    • supporting members affected by such issues and/or sign-posting sources of advice and support, as appropriate,
    • ensuring that employees are informed about their employment rights (in particular their right to join a trade union), are treated with respect in the workplace and that the employee voice plays a key role within the profession

    Our organisations will therefore publish programmes of work in line with these commitments, that are designed to improve the working environment for archaeologists and will coordinate that work through the existing Industry Working Group.