News analysis with BESA


Navigating choppy waters H


e told the Association’s Annual General Meeting that the war in Ukraine had piled yet more pressure onto our economy and that


none of us were immune to its eff ects. The cost-of- living crisis, energy costs, and unprecedented supply chain problems mean we still have many months of hard work ahead. However, he said was remaining optimistic. “This Association has a proud history and we


are fortunate that we can call on the collective experience and expertise of members – past and present. “The ‘BESA Community’ has brought us to where


we are now, giving us an amazing repository of technical know-how and business experience. The industry has always looked to our Association for leadership and, as a relatively small trade body, we have always punched above our weight.” He believes BESA can help the sector “navigate


choppy waters” thanks to the commitment of its offi cers and staff , and the many members “who pour hours of volunteer time into helping us develop technical guidance and who demonstrate why professional best practice matters in their everyday activities”. “It is always better to be part of a community of


like-minded people and fi rms rather than having to work out the best way forward on your own”.


Experience


Fletcher succeeded Neil Brackenridge, who served a two-year presidential term to help steer BESA through the pandemic. He is mechanical services team manager at Fife Council Building Services and has more than 30 years’ experience in construction and building services engineering – describing himself as “a time served plumber”. He said he was delighted to be the latest in a long line of presidents from a devolved nation further strengthening BESA’s unique position as the only built environment trade body representing all four UK countries.


“Our enduring strength and infl uence depend on our ability to speak with a collective voice on behalf of the whole industry – and we are not afraid to speak ‘truth to power’ wherever that power may sit,” he told the AGM.


He is a passionate advocate of training and


apprenticeships, and a former chairman of BESA Scotland. He was one of the founders of the BESA Local Authority Forum, which he continues to chair. This brings together representatives from every local council in Scotland to address key industry topics and fi nd solutions to common problems. It attracts more than 500 attendees every year. “This initiative is a great example of how the Association can bring people from diff erent parts of the industry, but who share a vision, together for the mutual benefi t of all,” he said in his speech. “The Forum has always promoted competence


and compliance as a crucial factor in delivering client satisfaction and this will take on even greater importance in the coming years.” The Association has recently updated its Competence Assessment Standard (CAS), which helps members produce the necessary evidence of their ability to deliver projects in line with rising


Newly elected BESA President Rab Fletcher used his inaugural speech to sound an upbeat note despite the unprecedented challenges facing the industry.


client demands as well as stricter legislation. “With all eyes on the construction industry, including our sector, when it comes to building safety, it is more important than ever that contractors have an independent way of proving their professional and technical competence and ability to comply with ever tightening legislation,” said Fletcher. “The Building Safety Act, which is now in force, means the process of embedding a new safety- fi rst culture into our projects is well underway. The Association is working hard to ensure its members know what the new legislation means to them and how to stay on the right side of the law. “BESA will help you to remain compliant and keep


you abreast of all the technical developments that underpin your work through our huge programme of guidance, much of which is focused on ensuring projects meet more stringent safety guidelines.”


New BESA President Rab Fletcher and outgoing President Neil Brackenrigde


8


August 2022


DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36