New BESA president calls for compliance focus
Pete Curtis of Briggs & Forrester has been elected President of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) for 2025/26.
In his inaugural address, Curtis urged building services professionals to prioritise compliance with the Building Safety Act.
He said the sector should take practical steps to change construction culture and deliver safer buildings.
Curtis spoke at the Oxo Tower in London on Thursday 25 September.
Industry urged to sign new compliance pledge
Curtis encouraged BESA members to sign the Association’s new Member Pledge.
The pledge sets out commitments to embed competence into business operations and influence supply chains to follow.
Curtis said: “It was all too easy to call on the government to do something.”
“We do have a measure of control and influence over the people we employ both directly and indirectly – and have a responsibility to use that influence to bring about change for the better,” he added.
He asked companies to assess training, recruitment and digital processes used to meet compliance requirements.
Focus on training and workforce development
Curtis highlighted the sector’s skills shortages as a critical challenge.
He said the industry faced an ageing workforce with more people retiring than joining.
Curtis said: “Many training centres have stopped delivering building services courses because of historic low demand and many suffer from a critical shortage of trainers and assessors.”
He confirmed that during his presidential year, he will build on BESA’s research into skills needs.
This includes growing the number of trainers and assessors through the Skills Legacy programme.
The scheme invites experienced engineers to contribute to apprenticeship delivery and support new entrants.
Using expertise to strengthen compliance culture
Curtis has more than 35 years’ experience at Briggs & Forrester Group.
He graduated from the University of Northampton and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
He said sharing expertise could support both students and colleges.
Curtis explained: “By offering to share it with a whole new generation, more mature engineers will be making an enormous contribution to the advancement of our industry.”
He added: “And what a fantastic way to give something back when you are in the later stages of your career. I, personally, can’t think of anything more fitting for me to champion in my presidential year.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The emphasis on compliance with the Building Safety Act is relevant to fire engineers, building services engineers and risk assessors.
Curtis’s call to embed competence within supply chains directly affects contractors and consultants responsible for fire safety compliance on construction projects.
The skills shortage he identified highlights the need for more qualified trainers and assessors, which could influence the availability of accredited courses for fire-protection professionals.
For facility managers and system installers, the BESA Member Pledge may set expectations for higher standards of competence and documented compliance evidence.
These developments could shape training requirements and operational practices across the wider safety and engineering sectors.
New BESA president calls for compliance focus: Summary
Pete Curtis of Briggs & Forrester has been elected President of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) for 2025/26.
Curtis delivered his inaugural address on Thursday 25 September at the Oxo Tower in London.
He urged members of BESA and the wider building services sector to prioritise compliance with the Building Safety Act.
Curtis asked companies to sign a new Member Pledge committing to embedding competence and influencing supply chains to follow.
He highlighted the skills shortage as the biggest threat to sector growth, citing ageing staff and a lack of training centres.
Curtis confirmed he will expand the Skills Legacy programme, which recruits experienced engineers as trainers and assessors to support apprenticeships.
Curtis has over 35 years’ experience at Briggs & Forrester, is a University of Northampton graduate and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
This article contains information from the following source: the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)