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Shft Supports Nima’s IMI as Founding Signatory

Billboard displaying Shft x IMI logo, marking Shft as a founding signatory of the Information Management Initiative

Shft has joined a select group of founding members backing Nima’s Information Management Initiative (IMI) – a UK-wide drive to improve digital information practices across construction.

Shft Supports Nima’s IMI as Founding Signatory

Last month Shft became a founding signatory of the Information Management Initiative (IMI). The IMI is a programme led by the Construction Leadership Council and supported by Nima – a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organisation dedicated to promoting better information management practices across the built and managed environment.

The IMI supports our commitment to better information management, more structured data and safer, more sustainable, and productive built environments. It represents a major strategic effort to raise information standards across the UK’s construction sector. In doing so, it supports the shift towards more digital, collaborative, and data-driven ways of working.

As one of a select group of founding signatories, Shft is helping set the tone for advancing digital practices across the built and managed environment. This contribution helps set a precedent for improved information management across the sector.

A collective push for better digital practices in construction

Digital transformation is now business-critical in construction. In response, the IMI provides a clear and practical framework that helps organisations of all sizes to create, manage and use information effectively. Importantly, this applies not just during design and construction, but across the entire lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure.

The IMI outlines a set of guiding principles and practical steps. These are designed to improve digital information handling across the UK’s construction sector. Its roadmap to 2030 promotes digital integration, with a structured approach that focuses on clarity, consistency and quality in project data.

Reflecting Shft’s values as a founding signatory of the IMI

As a London-based Building Information Modelling (BIM) agency, Shft works with businesses across the construction supply chain. We support the delivery of high-quality digital information throughout every phase of a building’s lifecycle.

Becoming a founding signatory of the IMI felt like a natural step for Shft. It reinforces the values we already live by. We believe that high-quality information is essential for creating safer, more collaborative, and sustainable built environments.

In fact, we already prioritise clarity, coordination and collaboration across teams. These are all essential pillars of the IMI’s mission.

“We’ve always believed that the use of clear, structured information during design lays the foundation for streamlined, successful project delivery on-site, and we’re proud to be part of a group that’s leading the way in shaping how our industry manages its information more effectively,” says Shft co-founder Michelle du Plessis.

“The IMI represents a critical step forward – one that aligns with the principles we’ve always championed: clarity, collaboration, and accountability in the way project information is created, shared, and applied. Being involved at this early stage is also an opportunity to contribute to the IMI’s initiatives and play a more active role in raising standards across the sector.”

Why the IMI matters for construction in the UK

The IMI comes at a critical time for the UK construction sector. Digital expectations are growing – from clients, regulators and end users alike. As a result, the need for accurate, reliable and accessible data has never been greater.

Construction firms now face increasing pressure to improve how they capture, coordinate and communicate project information. The IMI provides a shared framework to guide this transformation.

The initiative is led by the Construction Leadership Council and supported by Nima. It reflects a broader industry shift towards digital transformation, sustainability and performance – as outlined in the UK Government’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030.

Construction worker holding up construction drawings on site with crane in background.

Building the future of the IMI

The IMI was officially launched at Nima’s Autumn conference in November 2024. It continues to gain momentum into 2025. Founding signatories, including Shft, are recognised as taking a leadership role in advancing digital transformation and supporting adoption across the sector.

More organisations are expected to join the programme as it expands. This will help create a shared language and structure for digital delivery across the construction industry.

Learn more

We’re proud to be a founding signatory IMI advocate and look forward to supporting its growth into 2025 and beyond.

To explore the goals and roadmap behind the Information Management Initiative, visit the CLC and Nima.

To speak with the Shft team about our approach to digital delivery and information governance in construction, get in touch or explore our services.

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