Celebrating our Fair Payment Code Awards across Revival, MA Assist, and Virtus Validations.

Fair payment has long underpinned resilient supply chains — but at no time has it mattered more than today. With the UK Government driving the most significant overhaul of construction payment practices in more than 25 years, our recent recognition under the Fair Payment Code (FPC) demonstrates that we are not only aligned with this new era, but leading within it.

This year, three of our group businesses were accredited under the Fair Payment Code:

• Revival Blue (Trading as Revival) — Bronze Award
• MA Assist — Bronze Award
• Virtus Validations — Silver Award

These achievements place our operations firmly among the UK’s recognised leaders in responsible, fair, and transparent payment practices. The FPC, which replaced the Prompt Payment Code, is a more ambitious, tiered system designed to transform payment culture nationwide.

Small Business Commissioner – The new fair payment code

Fair Payment Code – The new fair payment code

With 568 companies accredited, including 108 Silver and 192 Bronze awardees, the Code aims to reward best practice and improve payment performance across supply chains.

Small Business Commissioner – FPC

 

A Shifting Landscape: Reform Is Here

On 24 March 2026, the UK Government published its formal response to the Late Payment Consultation, outlining reforms that will fundamentally reshape commercial behaviour across construction and the wider economy. The package includes:

• A mandatory 60‑day maximum payment term from large businesses to smaller suppliers.
• Statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on all late invoices.
• New board‑level reporting requirements, elevating payment performance to an ESG‑governed metric.
• Stronger enforcement powers for the Small Business Commissioner, including investigation and financial sanctions.

Construction Magazine – The End of “Free Credit”

 

These measures target the systemic late‑payment problem affecting 1.5 million UK businesses and contributing to 38 business closures every day.

 British Government – Consultation outcome, tackling late payments

 

The End of Retentions: A Defining Moment

The Government also intends to ban retentions in construction contracts, marking the most significant payment shift since 1998. The late‑payment reform response highlights the widespread concern that retention withholding places disproportionate strain on suppliers and undermines cash‑flow stability across the sector.

Walker Morris – The future of retention in construction

Current issues identified include:

• Retentions withheld long past defect periods
• Limited protection against defects despite tied‑up funds
• Cash‑flow strain contributing to SME insolvency
• Availability of alternative mechanisms without the drawbacks of retentions

Legal and industry commentary reinforces that a full ban — supported by a 12–24 month transition period — is the preferred route for genuine reform.

Lexology- Late payment reform: What UK construction developers and contractors need to know

 

Our Fair Payment Awards: Evidence of Action, Not Intention

Our group companies have demonstrated that fair payment is not something we aspire to — it is something we deliver.

Small Business Commissioner – The New Fair Payment Code

• Revival Blue and MA Assist, as Bronze Award holders, pay at least 95% of all invoices within 60 days, meeting strict standards of transparency and fair practice.
• Virtus Validations, achieving Silver, goes further by paying 95% of all invoices within 60 days and 95% of small‑business invoices within 30 days.
• These accreditations signal our proactive alignment with government expectations, industry reform, and supply‑chain wellbeing, its also noteworthy that we have automated our supplier invoice creation and we pay weekly, ensuring a steady flow on a regular basis for our suppliers.
• We pay weekly, ensuring our suppliers benefit from consistent, reliable cash flow they can depend on — not just occasional payments, but a steady financial rhythm that supports growth, stability, and stronger long-term partnerships.

 

Technology, Transparency, and the Future of Payment Culture

The industry is undergoing rapid change, with new technologies improving payment transparency and reshaping longstanding cash‑flow vulnerabilities. From platforms that separate cash flow from payment authority to trusted digital project accounts, the movement toward fairer, more accurate financial practices is accelerating.

Construction News – Trying to end constructions 300 year old payment problem

Our FPC awards demonstrate that we are embracing this future — not reacting to it.

 

A Call to Action for All Our Clients

As the sector stands on the brink of major regulatory reform, we encourage all our clients, partners, and stakeholders to take this moment to:

1. Review your payment practices

Assess whether your organisation is ready for the new mandatory 60‑day cap, statutory interest requirements, and greater transparency obligations.

 

Construction Magazine – The end of “Free Credit”

2. Examine your supply‑chain behaviours

Identify where long or inconsistent payment terms may be causing unintended financial strain, risk, or inefficiency across your supplier base — especially for SMEs who are most affected by late payment pressures.

 

British Government – Late payments consultation: tackling poor payment practices

 

3. Prepare for the end of retentions

With retentions set to be banned, now is the time to explore alternative security mechanisms that maintain project quality without compromising supplier cash flow.

 

Walker Morris – Late payment reform: The future of retention in construction,

Lexology – Late payment reform: What UK construction developers and contractors need to know

 

4. Consider applying for the Fair Payment Code

Joining the FPC is not just a signal of responsible practice — it is a strategic investment in supply‑chain resilience, reputation, and compliance with the future regulatory landscape.

Small Business Commissioner – The new fair payment code

Companies House – Launching the Fair Payment Code: helping businesses get paid on time

 

Conclusion: Leading by Example in a Changing Industry

As government reforms accelerate and payment culture tightens across the UK, fair payment is no longer optional — it is a strategic necessity. Our Bronze and Silver Fair Payment Code awards for Revival Blue, MA Assist, and Virtus Validations reflect our commitment to responsible leadership, collaborative supplier relationships, and forward‑thinking commercial practice.

We invite all clients to join us in championing fairness, strengthening supply chains, and preparing for the future of construction payments. By acting now, we can all contribute to a healthier, more resilient, and more productive industry.