IG Masonry Support and Keyfix launch joint CPD to help tackle cavity congestion in high-rise buildings

IG Masonry Support and Keyfix – both part of the Keystone Group – have announced the launch of a new joint Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session designed to address one of the construction industry’s most pressing compliance challenges: cavity congestion in high-rise buildings (HRBs).

The Building Safety Act has placed renewed scrutiny on façade design and specification, with Gateway 2 submissions now demanding a higher level of coordination and documented compliance. The new CPD responds directly to this shift, equipping construction professionals with practical tools and knowledge to navigate these requirements with confidence.

National Specification Manager for IG Masonry Support and Keyfix, Marcus Emmerson, said: “By combining our expertise in masonry support, brick slip systems, non-combustible cavity trays, cavity tray lintels, and wall ties, our new CPD sessions demonstrate how an integrated product approach can reduce risk, improve buildability, and support robust documentation at the Gateway 2 stage. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the risks associated with today’s complex slab-edge and cavity environments, and how early specification decisions can significantly reduce coordination failures on site.”

The learning objectives for the 60-minute session include:

  1. Develop an understanding of modern slab-edge cavity challenges and their impact on façade design and performance.
  2. Recognise why cavity congestion matters and how it affects buildability, safety, and overall system effectiveness.
  3. Explore key compliance and coordination risks associated with today’s complex façade designs, and learn how to apply this awareness in practice using Keystone Group products.

The CPD is accredited and contributes one point towards annual Continuous Professional Development requirements. It is available now, with face-to-face and virtual sessions bookable directly through our CPD and Specification page.

NEWS | IG Masonry Support Champion Future Talent at Guild of Bricklayers Competition

IG Masonry Support and Keystone Lintels, part of the Keystone Group, were proud to support the Midlands regional heat of the prestigious Guild of Bricklayers Competition, hosted at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) on Thursday 16th April 2026.

Held at the Stephen Burke Construction Academy, the event welcomed eight colleges from across the Midlands, with students competing in both junior and senior bricklaying categories. The competition highlighted the exceptional talent emerging within construction training and apprenticeships across the region.

The Guild of Bricklayers Competition challenges students to reproduce detailed brickwork models from technical drawings within a set timeframe, with work assessed by industry experts. Designed to promote and maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship, the competition plays a vital role in preserving traditional masonry skills while preparing the next generation for careers in the UK construction industry.

As part of their ongoing commitment to skills development through Keystone Group’s Keyskills education initiative, IG Masonry Support and Keystone Lintels provided prizes for the top three competitors in both categories – recognising the dedication, precision and high standards demonstrated throughout the event.

Siobhan Martin, Marketing Manager at IG Masonry Support, said: “We are committed to championing the future of the construction industry by supporting initiatives that develop practical skills, inspire excellence, and recognise outstanding achievement. This was a fantastic opportunity for us to get involved, particularly given our longstanding relationship with the Stephen Burke Construction Academy, located just a stone’s throw from our headquarters in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire. Congratulations to all the prize winners on the day.”