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BESA appoints chief operating officer

UK: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has appointed Tony Gilbert to the new role of COO in what the association describes as part of a major strategic transformation.

Gilbert joined the organisation full-time at the start of 2025 having worked as a consultant to BESA since last year. He was previously with the management consultancy Illumini.

“Tony brings enormous experience and vision to the association and has already played a key role in our strategic review and re-organisation,” said BESA’s CEO David Frise.

“We are delighted that he has now agreed to join us full-time to guide us through the next vital stage as we put our plans into action and refocus our products and services in line with this incredible time of change across the building engineering sector.”

Tony Gilbert added: “Our members and their clients are facing an unprecedented range of challenges, including very tough trading conditions and skills shortages, alongside significant business opportunities such as the rapid deployment of digital technology and an urgent drive towards decarbonisation of the built environment.”

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