The UK should look to its engineering community for solutions to many of the serious social and economic challenges it is facing, according to the President of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
Speaking at his presidential address to association members and guests at the London Scottish House in Westminster, Rab Fletcher said the building services sector has a pivotal role to play in tackling the energy, climate change, cost of living, and building safety crises confronting the country.
He said this year “would be very tough” for the industry but that building engineers were in a privileged position because they could make a difference and influence the future.
“These are big problems for the UK, but they are also opportunities for us to demonstrate the value of this industry and why our expertise matters,” he said.
“BESA will continue to champion our role, drive improvements in technical and professional standards, and support training as we strive to create a workforce capable of rising to these challenges.”
Fletcher, who is also mechanical services team manager at Fife Council, said there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic despite the general economic gloom. He referred to the first ever World Ventilation Day, which BESA helped to organise last November, as an example of how the industry could help to drive social progress.
“We worked with 21 organisations, including professional bodies, universities, and environmental groups from across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia…demonstrating how good ventilation can help to keep people safe from infectious diseases, improve sleep, and reduce mould and damp in buildings,” he said.
He added that last year’s successful BESA National Conference was another example of why members of the ‘BESA community’ should all be optimistic about the future.
