CIBSE and BESA agree strategic alliance

UK: Two of the UK’s main building services organisations have agreed a strategic alliance to work on key initiatives.

Contractors’ trade body the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the industry’s professional institution CIBSE have drawn up a series of joint projects, including the push for net zero and delivery of the Building Safety Act, to help achieve their common aims. 

The two organisations have a long history of collaboration but feel that the growing urgency to transform the built environment in line with the country’s decarbonisation and healthcare aims calls for a more integrated approach.

“The building services industry is in greater demand than ever as it increasingly accounts for a much larger proportion of the value of construction and facilities management projects,” commented CIBSE chief executive Ruth Carter.

“Therefore, our supply chains must be more closely aligned, and the different professions more joined up to deliver the higher levels of digital sophistication and integrated design necessary to meet growing client demand and legislative scrutiny.”

The two organisations have agreed to provide deeper support for each other’s key events including national conferences, seminars, and awards, while continuing their already successful collaboration on a range of technical guidance.

They will focus particularly on the Building Safety Act, developments linked to indoor air quality (IAQ), retrofitting and refurbishment of the existing building stock to advance decarbonisation, and the growth in heat networks. They will also work together to understand the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the industry and its potential to improve productivity.

“There is now far greater awareness of the role played by the building services profession in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, so this is the right time to deliver a programme of joint initiatives” said BESA chief executive officer David Frise.