A fixing system (20) for securing cladding boards (28) to the framing (26) of a building in a partially overlapping relationship, each board (28) having front and rear faces with a recess (42) being provided in and along the rear face. The fixing system (20) comprises a plurality of fixing devices (30), supported by the framing (26), that are spaced apart relative to one another and arranged in rows, each row of fixing devices (30) being arranged to support a board or row of boards (28) and each fixing device (30) having an engagement portion (40) that is arranged to engage with a section of the recess (42) of a board (28) to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices (30) of that row also engaging with a section of the recess (42), support the board (28) in place on the framing (26). Also, the fixing system comprises a plurality of fixing components (44) that are arranged to extend through the front face of each board (28) within the overlapping region of adjacent boards and into the framing (26) to secure each board (28) to the framing (26) in co-operation with the fixing devices (30).