A new trade body has been launched to support the property flood resilience (PFR) industry, with potential implications for insurers and risk managers as climate-related flood risks increase.
The International Property Flood Resilience Association (IPFRA) has been formed to provide a unified voice for the sector and promote recognised standards for flood mitigation in buildings.
The association aims to formalise a fragmented part of the resilience supply chain. For insurers, improved uptake of PFR measures could support efforts to reduce claims costs and improve insurability in high-risk areas.
Until now, there has been no representative body for contractors, surveyors, installers and other professionals working in the PFR space. IPFRA intends to promote good practice in line with the CIRIA Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience, which is widely referenced across insurance and resilience planning.
“PFR is no longer a niche add-on, it’s becoming a critical part of our national response to climate change and flood risk,” said Graham Brogden (pictured above), chair of IPFRA and managing director of GJB Consultancy. “As we continue to mainstream PFR, it’s vital that we put the right structures in place to raise standards, encourage collaboration, and support the sector’s growth.”
The association is encouraging participation from across the built environment, including those involved in insurance, underwriting, risk modelling and loss adjusting. IPFRA plans to act as a forum for knowledge-sharing, technical training and policy engagement, as well as a guide for new entrants to the industry.
The launch may also interest insurers looking to build partnerships with trusted suppliers or to support customers in adopting resilience measures. All IPFRA members are required to follow a Code of Conduct, which sets out baseline expectations for quality, professionalism and service standards.
IPFRA will be formally introduced at the upcoming Flood & Coast Conference. A reception will take place on the first evening of the event, with founding directors present in the Property Flood Resilience Zone throughout.
The board includes Gareth Boyd of Watertight International; Shelley Evans of JBA Consulting; Jo Ewart-Sear of Whitehouse Construction; Russell Burton of RAB Consultants; and Matt Keight of M3 Floodtec. Other founding members include Simon Crowther, of FPS Environmental, and Gavin George, of APEX Flood Solutions. The secretariat is being led by Mike Ockenden of Thornby Associates Ltd.
IPFRA said it is currently accepting expressions of interest from organisations either operating in or planning to enter the PFR space, including those in the insurance sector seeking to engage with resilience solutions.
