Your BESA ISSUE 10

Issue 10 YOUR 2018 National Conference Preview BESA secures key strategic partnerships Also in this issue New national wage agreement P15 Apprenticeship levy changes boost SMEs P17 Ventilation Hygiene scheme open to applicants P21 New affiliate members P23 www.theBESA.com @BESAGroup BESA Group

BESA Group 2 Companies: TRAINING

BESA chief executive David Frise Welcome YOUR BESA - ISSUE 10 In this issue: 2018 NATIONAL CONFERENCE P04 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE P09 MEMBERSHIP P10 REPRESENTATION P12 TRAINING P17 David Frise TECHNICAL NEWS P19 The power of community spirit Welcome to the latest edition of Your pages – at a strategic level, but without has agreed to continue in that role for a BESA. Leading an organisation can be a losing sight of the fact that these second year. lonely experience. That is true whether things can have a daily impact on your you are running a multi-national businesses and your profitability. It is no secret that, along with the rest conglomerate, an industry body or a of the industry, BESA has been through small engineering business. Our work on technical standards is a period of upheaval and considerable crucial to our community and a key change. I am glad to say that we One of the major benefits of BESA pillar of BESA’s strategy. They are the are emerging from that transitional membership is access to a group of friend of good contracting companies period and Tim’s offer to provide business people who are in the same because they level the playing field at welcome continuity to see the process boat as you; share the same concerns tender stage and set ambitious quality through was gratefully accepted at the and can laugh about our industry’s objectives for your projects, which only Association’s latest AGM. absurdities. Being part of a community competent companies can reach. This of individuals who understand and work is taking on greater importance I am delighted that I will be able to call empathise is always helpful and doubly as the technical consequences of the on his considerable experience and so when times are tough and – as the Grenfell Tower tragedy roll out across expertise on behalf of all BESA members many and varied reports in this magazine our sector. for another 12 months. show – BESA members have a huge amount to contend with right now. If you set a technical standard, you need Follow David on Twitter: the right skills and competence to meet @outsiderwrecker4 The support we provide each other it. This was highlighted in the Hackitt within the BESA community means Review that followed Grenfell and is we can find collective solutions to underpinning our growing body of work Your BESA Magazine is produced and managed problems rather than fighting a lonely around apprenticeships and training by Open Box Media and Communications Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)121 200 7820 battle. It is always better that we solve a (see page 17). problem ourselves among our industry’s Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information given, the publisher - the BESA community rather than waiting for Another major pillar of the BESA Group; or Open Box Media and Communications someone on the outside of our sector to community are our officers, who give Ltd - the production managers; cannot accept do it for us. their time and expertise in supporting liability for loss or damage arising from the all members. In particular, our President information supplied. Your Association is tackling major issues leads this effort and flies the flag on our The inclusion of adverts and information herein like late payment; air quality; fire safety; behalf. We are particularly indebted to does not in any way imply or include endorsement or the approval of, or from, the BESA Group. and skills shortages – all featured in these Tim Hopkinson, therefore, because he 3

DON’T MISS OUT! EARLYBIRD BESA NATIONAL CONFERENCE TICKETS FROM £50! ENDS SEPTEMBER 18TH • INNOVATIVE EXHIBITIONS • SECTOR GUIDANCE • PANEL DISCUSSIONS • SPECIALIST GROUPS • EXPERT SPEAKERS • INDUSTRY DEBATES - HEADLINE SPONSOR - - CONFERENCE SPONSORS - - CONFERENCE MEDIA PARTNERS - BESA Group 4 Companies: TRAINING

BESA CONFERENCE RESPONDS TO ‘WAKE UP CALL’ After a year of extraordinary events and unprecedented change, the industry is preparing to gather at the Park MEETING THE HACKITT CHALLENGE Plaza Victoria hotel in London on 1 November to debate where we go from here. With arguments raging over the cost of replacing combustible cladding on thousands of residential The financial implications from the collapse of Carillion continue to tower blocks, the BESA Conference will seek to resonate throughout supply chains up and down the country as does re-focus the Grenfell Tower debate on the wider the technical fall out from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Also, the way engineering issues at the heart of the tragedy. engineering training is funded and delivered is going through a period of major transition. “Grenfell was a wake-up call for everyone involved in the design, construction and operation of All these issues and more will be debated in depth at the BESA buildings – and the BESA Conference is an National Conference ‘Engineering the Future’, which is taking opportunity to focus on the crucial lessons we are place with the support of headline sponsor Milwaukee Tools and is learning from this terrible event,” says BESA chief designed to help BESA members build resilience into their businesses executive David Frise. during a period of radical economic and technical change. “The cladding has emerged as a major factor in the fire, but the next building tragedy could well be BREXIT PANEL AND PAUL UPPAL INTERVIEW caused or exacerbated by something else,” he adds. “It is so important that we don’t lose sight The conference will feature a broad debate on Brexit and its of the fundamental issues unearthed by the implications for the building engineering sector. It will bring Hackitt Review. together politicians and business leaders to consider how companies should prepare themselves and what the long-term “It is already clear that future holds. there were also problems with the lifts and the fire So far, the Brexit Panel includes Lord Stunnell, the Liberal doors in Grenfell Tower. Democrat spokesperson for construction and chair of the House The stairwells were of Lords working group reviewing the impact of Brexit on full of smoke, which construction; high profile ‘remainer’ Tom Cole, head of policy at hampered evacuation. Open Britain; and the construction reformer Mark Farmer, whose The refurbishment of the presentation at last year’s conference caused such a stir. building was botched and – as in hundreds, “By the time of the conference, we will be only a few months away from the UK officially leaving the European Union. maybe thousands of Whether or not you support Brexit, it’s happening; and the other projects – that was industry needs to be ready,” said BESA’s public affairs and policy as a result of a culture manager Alexi Ozioro. that encouraged corner cutting,” he adds. “BESA members see these kind “We will be examining some of the most important questions of problems every day and they understand the facing a post-EU construction industry: What will be the complexities. It is our sector that will deliver many regulatory impact? Has enough been done to protect skilled of the solutions that ensure higher standards of labour and movement of talent? Should we prepare for less safety and compliance in the future. That will be a foreign investment or is Brexit actually a wonderful opportunity message that sits at the heart of our conference.” for the industry?” A panel debate on the lessons from Grenfell and Informed ‘remain’ and ‘leave’ voices featuring experts drawn from across the industry will provide an overview of what will take centre stage at the Park Plaza. Fire safety is in store for the industry and – meeting the Hackitt challenge will be jointly delegates will have a chance to ask hosted by BESA and the Smoke Control Association questions and share their hopes (SCA) and will be followed by a technical seminar and fears. considering the future of fire-rated products and new fire resistant materials. Mr Ozioro will also be interviewing the government’s Small Business Commissioner Paul Uppal (above) in a special The conference will also look at how the major public session during the conference. Dubbed the ‘late payment events of the past 18 months will impact tsar’, Mr Uppal will explain how his office can help companies modern methods of working including the resolve disputes, how effective his role has been so far and need to accelerate the industry’s adoption of where he is trying to make a difference in the wake of Carillion. digital techniques. 5

BESA NATIONAL CONFERENCE INDOOR AIR QUALITY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Another key area to be addressed by the Conference will be Many aspects of managing occupant Indoor Air Quality and the potential implications of a new well-being are being adding to the growing Clean Air Act. A cross-party group of MPs recently warned the weight of responsibility faced by the facilities government that it must not use Brexit as an excuse to water management profession as a whole, which down efforts to address air pollution. will be addressed during a session at the Park Plaza chaired by FM guru Geoff Prudence. Geraint Davies, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Air The importance of the profession showing Pollution, said responsibility for tackling rising air quality issues ‘leadership’ and increased professionalism will must not be passed onto local authorities and, therefore, put be highlighted during this seminar. the group’s full weight behind a proposed new Act to replace the one enacted in the 1950s. RETENTIONS The proposed legislation went before parliament in July and makes specific Delegates will also hear about the latest reference – for the first time – to indoor developments in BESA’s work on the ‘Aldous air, which could place new responsibilities Bill’. This proposed legislation seeks to protect on building owners and operators to take retention payments from main contractor remedial action to protect occupants insolvency in order to safeguard sub-contractors’ from risks to health posed by airborne cash flow in the event of any future Carillion- contaminants. This has obvious implications style collapses. The Bill is due to have its second for building engineering firms and will be reading in parliament just before the Conference explained and discussed in a conference session hosted by the and has secured the support of one in three MPs. BESA Indoor Air Quality group. APPRENTICESHIPS This will feed neatly into a session dedicated to the Association’s recently updated kitchen ventilation maintenance guidance As our responsibilities grow, so the sector’s skills TR/19, which will be delivered by the BESA Ventilation Hygiene needs are evolving so BESA Training will lead a group. They will also outline changes and improvements to the session on apprenticeships – with a key focus Ventilation Hygiene Elite registration scheme. on how BESA is helping the industry equip its workforce with qualifications for life via new style qualifications. WIN MORE WORK WITH BESA The trade union Unite has also been invited AND CONSTRUCTIONLINE’S to give its views on how the sector needs to ‘MEET THE BUYER SESSIONS’ modernise the way it funds and delivers training. The specification and business generation platform THE FUTURE OF REFRIGERANTS Constructionline is also organising special ‘Meet the Buyer’ sessions during the conference with the aim of connecting BESA The air conditioning and members with clients. This will include a special session aimed refrigeration industries will at helping the NHS secure the right partners to help it deliver its also be well served by the wide-reaching programme of building improvements. BESA Conference, which comes at the end of a year that has seen unprecedented upheaval in the refrigerant marketplace. Graeme Fox, who is head DON’T MISS OUT! of the industry’s professional register Refcom, will lead a session on The Future of Refrigerants and EARLYBIRD TICKETS FROM £50! look at how the F gas regulations will be policed after the UK leaves the European Union. ENDS SEPTEMBER 18TH To buy tickets, go to www.theBESAconference.com BESA Group 6 Companies: TRAINING

BE PROUD AND SHOUT LOUD AT THE BESA NATIONAL AWARDS 2018 IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO ENTER! Some could say the building services industry is the ‘silent’ industry. BESA members simply don’t shout loud enough about all the fantastic A number of specialist categories are still open for entry, including: work they do. As a majority of the work is usually carried out towards the end of a project or is CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR simply not immediately noticeable to the naked eye, people tend to not fully appreciate the hard Has your company completed a contracting job/project within the last 12 months which included a clear focus on work that goes into making a building, a safe, collaboration, maintaining BESA standards of membership and healthy and working environment. BESA member companies where possible? Then get entering! We are providing our members with the perfect opportunity to showcase the talent within their companies and celebrate its THE ANN NOBLETT achievements over the past year. After last year’s great success, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OF THE YEAR we are pleased to host the second BESA National Awards, taking place on 1 November at Park Plaza Victoria, London. Have you or your employee completed, or are in the process of completing, an Apprenticeship Degree, National Level The BESA National Awards is a culmination of a series of 4 or above Design, Project and/or Technical Apprenticeship, regional awards that took place earlier this year in the North HNC/HND, foundation degree or degree course in building East, North West, Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland and London, services and are now working towards the achievement of South East and Midlands with all apprentice winners an appropriate chartered professional body? Then submit automatically gaining a place in the final. your entry! DON’T MISS OUT THE ALFRED MANLY MANAGEMENT AWARD ON EARLYBIRD TICKETS! Have you or your employee completed an Apprenticeship Degree, National Level 4 or above Design, Project and / or Technical Apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Foundation Degree or The evening will once again be a credit to the degree course in building services engineering and are industry, as we come together to celebrate BESA employed or aspiring to be employed in a junior or middle apprentices, members and employers, whilst management position? Submit your entry now! maybe having the odd drink or two and a boogie on the dancefloor! Entries for these three categories will close on Earlybird dinner tickets are priced FROM £130 FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER and packages can be bought for both the conference and awards. Earlybird prices end This year we have also introduced a number of specialist on 18TH SEPTEMBER so don’t miss out! awards, with winners chosen by a BESA judging panel including: Tickets are selling fast so make sure you secure a • SPECIALIST GROUP AWARD table at what promises to be a brilliant night. • FUTURE LEADER OF THE YEAR • NATIONAL SKILLFRIDGE WINNER To buy tickets, visit www.theBESAconference.com • BESA PRESIDENT’S AWARD 7

BESA Group 8 Companies: TRAINING

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Seeing the job through It is a particular pleasure to welcome you to this edition of Your BESA because it means I have started out on another 12 months journey as BESA President. It is not unprecedented for a president to pressures head on and serve two terms, but it is unusual – and things are definitely looking the staff and officers of the Association up. BESA has been leading felt these were particularly unusual the agenda on tackling times. They felt that continuity would be late payment through its welcome and would help to cement the work on the Aldous Bill (see positive progress we are making on a page 12); we have picked number of fronts. up the technical gauntlet thrown down by the Hackitt You will find several articles in the Review; and are making real BESA President Tim Hopkinson magazine covering latest developments progress on Apprenticeships on many of the crucial issues confronting (page 17). both the industry and the Association, which illustrate that we are dealing with a The Association has a new unique combination of circumstances. chief executive, who I believe is heritage. If you come along to our uniquely qualified to steer us into the National Conference on 1 November 12 months ago, Your BESA was reflecting next phase of BESA’s life; and we have (see pages 4-7) you will get the very on a tragedy that was still very fresh in retained an impressive team who are latest information and hear from our minds – the Grenfell Tower fire. At working extremely hard to make our industry leading experts on all these the time, we realised this would be a new look Association a success. crucial developments. significant event for our industry, but a year later we are now starting to realise So, it is for these – and many other the full implications. – reasons, that I am prepared to take “We have started on another year as your Since then we have seen the collapse of something good and I President with much Carillion, and its turbulent effect on many am extremely honoured excitement and a BESA members, along with growing growing sense of unease over the exact nature of our to have the opportunity optimism. departure from the EU next year. to see this job through.“ We have started All of this has created considerable Tim Hopkinson, something good and I economic uncertainty and made BESA President am extremely grateful planning for the future extremely tricky and honoured to have for many of our businesses. Against this the opportunity to see backdrop, changes to training funding this job through. have slowed down the sector’s attempts BESA has always had a reputation for to tackle its skills shortages. punching above its weight, and if you look at some of the work already However, we have confronted all of these undertaken in 2018, you can see that Follow Tim on Twitter: external challenges and several internal we are, once again, living up to our @BESAPresident 9

MEMBERSHIP BESA secures key strategic partnerships BESA is now an affiliate member of the who are looking for contractors and sub-contractors to Builders’ Conference and has also agreed a work on their projects. Buyers will post available contracts strategic partnership with Constructionline. and search the Constructionline database for appropriate contractors to invite to tender. Both of these relationships create significant business opportunities for Association members and open up new routes to winning more work. The Builders’ Conference (www.buildersconference.co.uk) is a fellow member-based trade association open to any business involved in the construction industry including multi- million pound main contractors, specialist sub-contractors and As a result of this new strategic partnership, BESA members consulting engineers. will receive 15 months membership of Constructionline for the price of 12. Constructionline will also add ‘buyer’ It provides new business leads – including 11,000 contract status for free – something that normally costs £500 opportunities every year worth more than £50bn gleaned – so members can contact other ‘suppliers’ across the from its extensive database – as well as market intelligence, construction industry. statistical data and networking opportunities. Benefit Constructionline (www.constructionline.co.uk) is the UK’s largest business-generation platform for SME contractors in Invitations to ‘Meet the Buyer’ events across the UK are the construction industry. It connects suppliers with buyers, another significant benefit as these provide opportunities to BESA Group 10 Companies: TRAINING

meet peers and partners to discuss potential business. The partnership scheme is open to private sector clients, The dates of these events will be published on the BESA public sector bodies and consultants who recognise the website and Constructionline is hosting a special meet the benefits BESA’s technical standards and guides provide buyer session during the to the industry and the BESA National Conference on advantages to be gained from 1 November (see pages 4-7). having access to the quality The Builders’ Conference assurance and technical Members will also receive provides new business leads competence of BESA alerts about buyers’ members. construction projects, – including 11,000 contract which are directly tailored opportunities every year worth Assurance to their geographic location more than £50bn gleaned from and area of expertise. The scheme is only open to They can also include their its extensive database. organisations that do not company information on the employ their own direct Constructionline database workforce and who agree to for potential clients in line include a statement in their with the PAS91 pre-qualification format. BESA companies invitations to tender that specifically refers to the quality will also be invited to take part in Constructionline’s supplier assurance provided by BESA members: engagement days, which are run for main contractors. “We are aware of the important role BESA plays in the built environment sector, the authoritative standards and guides it produces and the ‘Mark of Quality and Assurance’ its members represent,” the tender documents say. “As a procurer of building services mechanical solutions, BESA members can now also take advantage of discounted it is important that we ensure quality is maintained membership of Builders’ Conference. Sole traders receive throughout the supply chain. a 53% reduction on the normal membership fee; SMEs a 41% discount and main contractors get 26% off their fees. “Therefore, we require that all contractors pre-qualifying for mechanical works demonstrate that they are either BESA BESA members can access the Builders’ Conference data members or are qualified to the standards set out in BESA’s platform and express an interest in national construction mark of quality and assurance or equivalent.” projects across all sectors. They will also receive an exclusive preview of its in-depth monthly market analysis. The Association’s membership director Wayne Terry hailed these groundbreaking developments as cornerstones Details of construction tenders and the main contractors of BESA’s evolving strategy. “Collaborating with specifier who are bidding can be delivered direct to a member’s inbox organisations like Constructionline and Builders’ along with the opportunity to express an interest in the work. Conference give our members access to extremely BESA members can now also be automatically included in valuable routes to win work,” he said. “This will help searches based on trade, specialism and location. There are companies derive maximum benefit from their BESA also a number of publicity and profile raising opportunities membership. on the Builders’ Conference website and in its newsletter thanks to this new tie-up between the two organisations. “Also, by creating close partnerships with specifying organisations we can continue to build relationships of mutual benefit. This will help to make sure that the considerable investment made by our members in training, technology and compliance gets appropriate recognition and reward.” At the same time, the Association has finalised details of its new Public, Private Sector Specification Partnership (PSP) scheme, which is designed to cement the reputation of BESA members with specifiers across the building engineering For more information about these, and other member services and construction sectors. benefits, please visit: www.theBESA.com/member-offers 11

REPRESENTATION Delayed Bill fuels wider debate on fair payment A further delay to proposed legislation on industry bodies including the recently joined Association payment reform gives the industry more of Accounting Technicians and the British Chambers of time to harness surging support from right Commerce. As a result, the coalition has grown to over 800,000 businesses. across industry, according to BESA’s legal & commercial department. “Interest in this issue is growing by the day,” said BESA’s head of legal and commercial Debbie Petford. “As well The second reading in Parliament of the Aldous Bill, which as industry members, several law firms whose clients calls for major changes to the current system of payment are affected by delayed or unfair payment have shown retentions, has been postponed until October 26. This interest. Holding off the second reading until October will allow the industry to further consolidate the growing gives us more time to build our case for profound and ‘fair payment coalition’ that has coalesced around the lasting change.” legislation championed by Peter Aldous MP and strengthen the case with government, the Association said. BESA’s legal and policy teams are providing expert analysis during a seminar organised by the law firm Clarkslegal for BESA and the other industry backers of the Bill have now its construction clients and there has been further interest secured support from 200 MPs and more than 80 other in the area of late payment across the legal sector. Behaviour “There is a legal head of steam building up behind Aldous that should, at the very least, lead to changes in the way public sector projects are procured,” she said. “Government needs to look very closely at the behaviour of firms who receive its lucrative contracts.” BESA believes that only firms who pay at least 95% of sums due to sub-contractors within 60 days should be considered for public sector work. However, it is also pushing for 30-day payment terms as a contractual standard. “This is the widest debate on fair payment anyone at BESA can remember,” said Ms Petford. “Our members recognise that business involves risk, but how much risk is sustainable and how much is fair? It is increasingly clear that smaller firms are carrying a disproportionate amount of the financial risk – and the time for change has now arrived.” She also noted that there had been improvements recorded in the payment practices of some Tier One contractors since Carillion collapsed and that Network Rail recently announced it would ban retentions on all of its projects from next year. It is vital for everyone in the industry to write to their local MP to support the Bill. The more MPs who support it, strengthens the vote in Parliament. You can write to your local MP by downloading our letter template from www.theBESA.com/retentions BESA Group 12 Companies: TRAINING

Government urged to put lifetime value ahead of price Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. One of Oscar Wilde’s many famous pronouncements • Delays in payment neatly sums up the findings of the House of Commons • Retentions Public Accounts Committee inquiry into the way the • Preferred supplier discounts government deals with its suppliers. • Reducing the barriers to the direct bidding to Government • Increasing the use of Project Bank Accounts Following the collapse of Carillion in January, there has been much soul searching about how the government awards • Supporting consortia bidding. vital public sector contracts and the risk involved in putting “Standard contracts should be designed to make it easier for capital cost ahead of lifetime value and performance. SMEs to bid and make it clearer where variance occurs,” the report said while also advising departments to consult with A group of BESA members were invited to provide evidence to this highly influential committee in a private session and their SME suppliers on how best to adopt these measures. many of their key messages were included in its final report “This highly influential committee has produced another to government. piece in a jigsaw of initiatives that the government will find very difficult to ignore,” said BESA’s public affairs and policy In particular, the report recommends that the government consider “the lifetime cost and value of a contract, not just manager Alexi Ozioro. the bottom line at the point the contract is commissioned”. “It piles even more pressure on the government to act It added that government procurers should “get better at over the issue of late payment and retentions, which managing contracts through their life” and would need “a complement the work the Association is already doing significant uplift in skills” in this area. around the Aldous Bill and fair payment in general. The issue of late payment, which was brutally exposed by the “Their report also makes clear reference to the ‘race to the Carillion episode, was also highlighted by the committee of bottom’ culture highlighted in the Hackitt Review and which MPs, who said there was “no excuse” for small and medium BESA has been campaigning against for many years.” suppliers not being paid on time. Mr Ozioro was also in the process of confirming another It called for the government to adopt project bank accounts public evidence session for BESA members with the BEIS to secure the cash flow of suppliers and, therefore, ensure Select Committee as Your BESA went to press. a smoother process of delivering vital works. It also said the government should make greater use of standard contracts, For more information about the Association’s public affairs which should include measures for addressing: work please go to: www.theBESA.com/representation 13

BESA Group 14 Companies: TRAINING

REPRESENTATION 5% pay rise agreed a conclusion that is fair and in the interests of both the employers and the operatives, who provide the skills that are vital to our for workers industry and its clients.” She added that having constructive dialogue was particularly important this year because of the growing economic uncertainty Operatives across the building services contracting caused by Brexit and the collapse of Carillion, which had thrown sector will receive salary increases of more than many industry supply chains into chaos. 5% by 2020, following the latest round of national wage negotiations between the Association’s “This is an extremely challenging time for employers in our sector, which makes planning for the future a very tricky exercise,” said department of employment affairs and skills and BESA President and chief negotiator Tim Hopkinson. “However, we the trade union Unite. also have solid grounds for optimism. There is growing demand for our specialist skills and expertise as the UK embarks on an BESA, in its role as an employers’ body, negotiated the latest ambitious infrastructure programme and seeks to upgrade its agreement following a process that was described as “positive and commercial and residential building stock. constructive” by both employers and the union. “It is extremely helpful, therefore, to be able to conclude these Workers will receive an hourly rate increase of 2.5% from this important negotiations positively so everyone can look to the October followed by a further 2.75% rise from October 2019 in future,” he added. what is the second phase of the four-year national operative wage settlement. Phase One, which covered October 2016 BESA members can use the national agreement to underpin to September 2018, also included a forward commitment of contracts of employment for their hourly paid, site-based improved index benefits and an additional day of paid annual workforce. The Association also maintains a second collective holiday entitlement, effective from February 2020. agreement – the Environmental Engineering Industry Staff Salary Agreement – which sets out benchmarked salaries for supervisors, Unite and BESA also committed to keeping the dialogue going designers, contracts managers and other project delivery staff. in order to address issues of “mutual concern”, including the skills shortage and the need to increase the number of apprentices The employment affairs and skills department also advises being recruited into the industry. members on employment matters; acts as a first reference point on a range of human resources issues; and champions industry Collaborative competitiveness and profitability. “A very positive collaborative spirit has developed between For more information about wage agreements and other the negotiating parties over recent years,” said BESA head of aspects of employment affairs go to: www.theBESA.com/ employment affairs Paula Samuels. “This has allowed us to reach employment-affairs New streamlined H&S requirements for BESA membership Following feedback from our membership, we as they will no longer have to go through this additional are delighted to announce that the way the and time consuming process. Compliance with statutory association assesses H&S compliance for BESA H&S regulations will now be assessed as part of members’ membership has been revised. normal CAS audit. For those members who still require SSIP certification for their businesses for tendering purposes, SSIP is no longer a mandatory requirement for BESA this service is still available but will now be on a voluntary membership, instead members are simply required to basis. BESA have also now streamlined this process to just demonstrate compliance with statutory H&S requirements. 14 days via a trusted third party partner, CQMS, with whom These revisions have been recommended by the Membership we have negotiated a special member discount. Committee, approved by Council and come into force with immediate effect. For more details visit www.theBESA.com/ This is great news for members who do not competence-assessment-scheme or talk to require SSIP for their normal business operations your local Association Manager. 15

BESA Group 16 Companies: TRAINING

TRAINING Apprenticeship levy changes are boost for SMEs The government’s decision to ease restrictions on how Apprenticeship Levy funds are distributed has been praised by BESA Training. Large firms, who pay the Levy, are now able to transfer up to 10% of their funds annually to multiple supply chain partners. Previously, a levy-payer was only able to share funds with one other employer, but Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton has relaxed that rule in the face of concerted pressure from industry. “This is great news,” said director of BESA Training Tony Howard. “It is something we have been fighting for since the Levy started last year and was originally supposed to start in April. Sharing the funding in this way will allow many more SMEs to invest in apprentices.” Only around 2% of employers actually pay into the Levy – those with annual payrolls of £3m and above – but the estimated annual pot of £3bn is intended to be used by all employers to subsidise apprentice recruitment and training. However, there has been considerable confusion about how non-levy paying firms could gain access to the money. “The difficulty for building services employers has been “The fall in numbers was no surprise because there was total finding providers in their area able to deliver the training. confusion about where the levy money was going,” said Mr However, this new stream of funding brings fresh hope.” Howard. “The principal behind the Levy is sound, but small As well as creating a series of New Standard apprenticeships, employers were struggling to access funds for specialist BESA and its members have revamped ‘end point assessment’ training provision. Also, many large companies were not using of candidates to make it more meaningful for employers by the full amount they paid in.” focussing it on life-long learning. BESA is also a Registered End Point Assessment Organisation (RoEPAO), which allows it Support to assess new training standards in England. By making a transfer to pay for an apprentice’s training and The new end point assessment process involves a series of assessment, larger firms can support companies who may interviews, practical tasks and questions where students not have considered hiring an apprentice before or could are examined – independent of their training provider. not get the specialist provision they wanted. However, Mr This should convince employers that they are receiving Howard said that funding also needed to be directed towards apprentices with fully rounded competence ready for training providers capable of delivering the New Standard productive work. apprenticeship courses, which have been developed “by employers for employers”. BESA Training will be hosting a number of EPA seminars to explain the new process in more detail. They will take place “There is huge appetite out there to take on apprentices,” said at the end of September, if you would like to attend please Mr Howard. “At BESA Training, we have seen a record number email [email protected] of enquiries from companies of all sizes wanting apprentices. We have also seen a 27% increase in new apprentices signing For more information about recruiting apprentices go to: up for our New Standard courses. www.theBESA.com/training 17

BESA Group 18 Companies: TRAINING

TECHNICAL NEWS Government must Urgency listen to industry F EAC chair Mary Creagh said her committee was disappointed the government had not shown more urgency about how this important environmental law would be enforced after Brexit. gas concerns She asked that DEFRA and the EA publish plans for monitoring non-compliance. The government has been urged to stop She made particular reference to social media, which is ignoring the refrigeration and air conditioning fermenting a hugely damaging trade in illegal refrigerant gas and called for a considerable tightening of customs industry’s nervousness about how the F gas arrangements to target the amount of refrigerant coming into regulations will be enforced after Brexit. the UK in illegal disposable cylinders. There are growing fears that the Environment Agency (EA) does The EA said it monitored online marketplaces, such as eBay and not have the resources to police the F gas process and that the Amazon, on a daily basis and chases up the platforms to get number of breaches of the regulations could increase after the suspicious activity removed, but Mr Fox believes it must go further. country leaves the European Union next year. “Real sanctions with meaningful financial penalties are needed Refcom, part of the BESA Group and the industry’s leading F gas to deter this activity,” said Mr Fox, who added that Refcom and register, recently gave evidence to an inquiry carried out by the its members were trying to help by acting as the EA’s eyes and Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). Its subsequent report ears “but the lack of follow-up action is seriously discouraging”. highlighted the lack of prosecutions being carried out under the rules and urged the government to be more proactive. However, Andy Brewer, chair of the BESA Refrigeration, Air Conditioning DEFRA said the number of prosecutions was “not necessarily a and Heat Pump group welcomed the measures that the good indicator of the effectiveness of compliance work”. Government has put in place in recent months to help industry fulfil its obligations under F gas – particularly the introduction “Of course, it is right to say that enforcement notices, advice, of civil penalties. “However, there are still a significant number awareness campaigns and guidance have been successful in of non-compliant companies operating under the radar,” he making people aware of their obligations, but awareness does said. “We urge the government to work more closely with the not guarantee the success of the programme,” said Head of certifying bodies to address the issues and make an example Refcom Graeme Fox. of those who seek to undermine all the hard work of the responsible majority.” “There are serious breaches going on out there, which require direct and tough action that the EA cannot take because it does For more information about the F gas regulations and the work not have the manpower.” of Refcom please go to: www.refcom.org.uk 19

BESA Group 20 Companies: TRAINING

Ventilation Hygiene Elite scheme open to applicants The Association’s Ventilation “It is essential, therefore, that standards of Hygiene Elite (VHE) scheme is cleanliness and the competence of those engaged in the work are raised through up and running and open to schemes like the VHE and the training implemented in support.” applications from ventilation hygiene specialists keen to demonstrate their competence, quality Mr Passey said insurers would continue to push for improved and standards. standards “across all facets of risk” through recommending the use third party certified contractors because they recognised With building owners and operators becoming more aware of the benefits this offers in “ensuring good practice standards are the fire risks posed by poorly cleaned and maintained systems, met routinely” and how this enhances “the safety of occupants, there has been growing demand for a robust process to verify protection of property and business continuity”. the quality of cleaning – particularly of grease extract systems used by commercial kitchens. The VHE scheme, which is approved and administered by the Association’s independent certification arm BESCA, is based on This growing awareness has created a booming market, BESA’s long-established best practice standard TR19. which has attracted some non-specialist hygiene providers who do not necessarily understand their responsibilities; or BESCA will audit firms’ work to ensure standards are maintained the importance of delivering clean systems, good advice and and manage a database of post-clean reports, which can be used proper post-clean reporting to clients. as an auditable trail by the member firm; their clients and insurers. BESCA will also carry out ongoing surveillance of each registrant This has led to increased scrutiny by insurance companies to confirm continuing compliance. alarmed by the high number of claims following building fires. The amount of surveillance may reduce year-on-year if the “Fire spreading into and through kitchen extract ductwork company continues to display a high standard of work. A BESCA continues to be a significant concern to property owners, certificate for all notified cleans that meet the requirements will be occupiers and insurers,” said Howard Passey, principal automatically generated for issue to the end client. The scheme consultant at the Fire Protection Association. is designed to protect clients, giving them the peace of mind that comes from employing a verifiably competent specialist “Such systems are without doubt a high fire risk element, ventilation hygiene contractor and eligible BESA members, who particularly when serving commercial catering environments meet the scheme’s criteria, will be allowed to join for free. and the scope and scale of damage is often disproportionate to the size of the establishment,” he added. To join the scheme please go to: www.besca.org.uk (RISE), which was previously the being published on the BESA website only organisation able to test to the (www.theBESA.com/ukhiu) new standard, which is the first one developed for use in the UK. Testing to the Standard is helping to create a comprehensive product HIUs extract heat from district heating database and improve performance of networks to feed individual buildings UK heat networks. and dwellings. How they perform is central to the overall efficiency The process is modelled on a well- of a district scheme. The Standard established Swedish methodology, HIU standard gets was developed, therefore, to help which was adapted to suit typical UK operating conditions, and makes developers of UK heat networks testing boost procure HIUs based on comparative it possible to compare products performance data and is the first of its and equipment types so that kind in this country. network designers can evaluate the BESA’s test standard for Heat performance of individual HIUs against Interface Units (HIUs) has been The availability of a UK standard has their design parameters. revised and updated in response prompted considerable response from As part of the revision process, manufacturers many of whom have to growing demand from the joined the Association’s HIU Forum. the steering group overseeing the district heating industry. Standard has been expanded and a Testing to the standard is a two-stage technical sub-committee – comprising Two UK-based test houses have also process: The HIU has to achieve a UKAS industry experts and the three test now been approved to carry out or equivalent national accreditation houses – has been set up. testing to the standard – BSRIA and through one of the three test houses Enertek International – in addition and this result must then be verified by For more information visit: to the Research Institutes of Sweden the Standard’s Steering Group before www.theBESA.com/ukhiu 21

TECHNICAL NEWS SKILLcard quick to tackle Flattered registration fraud The TICA Skill Card competence is different to the SKILLcard scheme, but thermal insulation operatives found that it was possible to secure an engineering services card on completing an NVQ Level 2 course as a standalone BESA has been widely praised for qualification. There were also reports that social media was moving quickly to close a loophole being used to encourage others to follow suit. that threatened the integrity of one of the construction industry’s largest skills “Of course we are flattered that operatives from outside our industry see the value of Engineering Services SKILLcards, but certification schemes. this is a blatant abuse of the competence system,” said Rachel Davidson, BESA’s director of certification schemes. Managers of the Engineering Services SKILLcard were alerted to the fact that a number of people working in the thermal “As soon as we were alerted, we closed this loophole in line insulation industry had managed to secure Heating and with our responsibility to uphold professional standards and Ventilating (H&V) Installer cards in order to gain access to provide quality assurance to construction clients.” construction sites. She said it was clear this loophole was being exploited As a result, some managers were in danger of being duped into knowingly because the applicants felt they would not allowing workers without the right qualifications onto their immediately qualify for a TICA Skill Card. projects. However, SKILLcard worked with the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) to close the loophole before it “While this has been an unsettling episode, it has served to could cause any lasting damage. demonstrate how CSCS partner organisations work together to uphold professional standards for the benefit of clients and SKILLcard and TICA both run Construction Skills Certification every other skilled trades person who has taken the trouble to Scheme (CSCS) affiliated programmes that underpin the apply for their competence card in the right way,” added Ms government’s 2025 industry strategy by helping clients check Davidson. whether workers have the right qualifications for the job in hand and have suitable health & safety training. CSCS chief executive Graham Wren explained that, in order to meet the industry’s aim of a fully qualified workforce, it was More than 60,000 people working in the heating, ventilating, vital for cardholders to hold the right card for the specific job air conditioning and refrigeration industry hold an Engineering they do onsite. “This helps site managers by ensuring that Services SKILLcard, which also covers building engineering workers only undertake work they are qualified to do. It is services supervisors and managers. It was the first CSCS card great to see our partner card schemes TICA and BESA working scheme to go ‘smart’ easing the process of updating the towards this goal,” he said. holder’s qualifications and making it simpler and quicker for site managers to check skills and prevent potential fraud. www.skillcard.org.uk Stay up-to-date with the course as a vital resource “offering engineers the perfect Building Regulations resource to update themselves on the core changes to the Building Regulations. It is vital that installers maintain their CPD BESCA, BESA’s certification arm is now and our course offers an efficient and practical way to do so”. offering Building Regulation updates online The online course, which includes a final examination, costs via an e-learning course, aimed at those just £95+ VAT. operating within the mechanical sector. Acting as an independent UKAS accredited body, BESCA With significant events such as the Grenfell fire changing strives to help businesses meet industry standards, promoting the shape of the industry, it has never been more technical excellence in the building services sector. important to effectively demonstrate competence and ensure that skills are kept up-to-date. Contact the BESCA Helpdesk on 0800 6525533 or email [email protected] for further information or to register Duncan Sibbald, Head of Certification for BESA, describes your interest/reserve your place today. BESA Group 22 Companies: TRAINING

NEW AFFILIATES Tata joins BESA to take on pipework challenge Tata Steel has become a BESA Gold Affiliate member to help tackle some major challenges facing the UK pipework market. Tata (www.tatasteelconstruction.com) said its new membership would provide the perfect platform for its Conveyance Tubes business to engage with pipework users, working closely with the BESA to raise awareness of correct technical specifications and contribute practical knowledge and insights to the Association’s national pipework guidance documents. (www.hamworthy-heating.com) Hamworthy Heating has also upgraded its long- Tata Steel and BESA will also jointly promote CPD training standing membership to Bronze to take advantage initiatives aimed at improving pipework awareness across the of the benefits provided by the revamped affiliate building engineering market. The company is also supporting programme. the BESA National Conference Exhibition and Awards in November, as well as taking part in regional events. The commercial boiler manufacturer and hot water specialist can trace its heritage back to 1914. It also “The main goal of our affiliate membership is to create a dialogue with specifiers and end users, so that we can help pioneered the introduction of modular boilers in them understand the risks to their projects due to incorrect the UK in the 1960s and now offers a complete or poorly defined pipework specifications,” said Dr Chris range of stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium and Owen, Tata’s customer technical services manager. steel tube boilers as well as water heaters and system equipment. “This is a significant issue, which can lead to poor quality or National account manager Stuart Turner said the non-compliant products being used leading to installation, company had enjoyed working with BESA for performance and service life issues and can add delays and many years. additional costs to installations,” explained Dr Owen. “BESA is one of the leading trade associations and He said Tata and BESA would be highlighting the risks associated with non-compliant imported cold-formed we value its expertise, which helps us to stay up products, as well as problems with galvanic corrosion as a to date with latest legislation and developments. result of mixed carbon and stainless steel systems. It also connects us to engineers and helps us to understand the technical problems they face. This “We’re pleased to be partnering with such a prestigious in turn allows us to develop products and create trade organisation in order to do this and believe our knowledge content to support contractors’ work,” own customers will also derive a real benefit from our said Mr Turner. membership,” he added. BESA is also delighted to welcome other recent additions to the affiliate membership programme including: Rockwool and Flamco. For more information about affiliate membership go to: www.theBESA.com/affiliate-directory 23

ADVERTISER’S CONTENT IS YOUR PIPEWORK AT RISK? As the majority of building services specifications are still making reference to old, withdrawn, legacy pipework standards, there is a significant risk of poor quality, non-compliant or inferior products getting into your projects. • Further risks may also be seen if mixed metal pipework systems are also being used, especially if your building specifications have not fully considered the risk of galvanic corrosion. • BISPA (Building and Industrial Services Pipework Academy) is here to help, and offers a FREE Pipework Specification Review Service to ensure that the correct standards and materials are being referenced within your projects. Visit our website or contact us to learn more about BISPA and how we can reduce your project risk BESA Group 24 Companies: TRAINING

ADVERTISER’S CONTENT CPD training – discounts for BESA members BISPA also provides a range of CIBSE accredited training courses and workshops covering pipework installation issues and innovations, such as BIM and VR. • It’s easy to access BISPA experts, and our CPD’s can be done at one of our many UK locations or alternatively, our experts can come directly to your offices or sites. • As well as our FREE Pipework Specification Review Service, BESA members can save 50% on CPD fees. PIPEWORK TRAINING CPDS BIM & VR TRAINING COMMISSIONING CPDs Visit our website or contact us to learn more about BISPA and how we can reduce your project risk www.bispa.org | [email protected] 25

BESA Group 26 Companies: TRAINING

Boosting the value of your pension In the last edition of Your BESA, we looked at how to ensure employers are getting value for money from pension administration fees. For you personally however, it is also worth considering whether you are on track for your desired retirement, and looking at options to boost the value of your pension. ALL TOGETHER NOW EVERY LITTLE HELPS According to research carried out in 2017, Another route to boosting the value of your nearly two thirds (62%) of UK adults pension is to consider paying additional have multiple pensions, and 39% do amounts into your pension pot to give you not actually know the total value more in retirement. You can do this through of their pension. making Additional Voluntary Contributions – amounts paid in over and above your normal If you are in this position, it salary deduction. can make planning for your retirement very difficult and It is however important to remember if you are it is worth considering if it able to pay more into your pension, that this could be beneficial to move will count towards your annual allowance. all, or some, of your pensions The annual allowance is a limit to the total to sit with one provider. By amount of contributions that can be paid to doing this, it enables you to defined contribution pension schemes (like Welplan see your pension retirement Pensions) and the total amount of benefits that you can build up in savings in one place, so that these pension scheme each year, for tax relief purposes. you can understand the true value of your retirement savings. It also makes managing your The annual allowance is currently capped at £40,000 although pensions easier – whether that is choosing the funds you are a lower Money Purchase Annual Allowance limit of £4,000 will invested in, or updating your address. apply if you have already started to draw from your pension pot. The annual allowance applies across all of the schemes you Welplan Pensions is happy to accept transfer of benefits from belong to and includes all of the contributions that you, your other pension schemes. If you aren’t sure where your other employer or anyone else pays on your behalf. pensions are, there is also a government service to help you trace them: https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact- If you decide to move some, or all of your pensions to Welplan, details. Before you consider the transfer of any pension pot, we or would like to consider making Additional Voluntary recommend you seek independent financial advice to ensure Contributions, please get in touch with our friendly, professional you are not disadvantaged by the transfer, as it may not be in team who will guide you through the process on 0800 195 8080 your best interests to transfer some pension pots. or visit www.welplan.co.uk for more information. 27

UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK ADVERTORIAL HVAC 2018 turns the heat up The collapse of Carillion and the uncertainty around Brexit has put a spanner in the works for many in the building services sector. But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom and HVAC 2018 is ready to help building services professionals prepare for the year ahead. Forming part of UK Construction Week (UKCW) at speakers and industry leaders sharing their knowledge on topics Birmingham’s NEC between 9 – 11 October, HVAC 2018 is such as the role of ventilation in happy and healthy homes. looking to the ‘Future of Construction’. The Sustainability Hub will bring the hot topics including: Matteo The Future of Construction Hub provides an immersive Dall’Ombra from Daikin on high end residential solutions; Andie opportunity to discover how digital construction, 3D printing, Chessun from HygroMatik covering thermal comfort; David robotics, AI and AR and modern methods of construction can Taylor from Flogas discussing the benefits of centralised LPG deliver the new Construction Sector deal. connections for residential developments; Fiona Watts from AMA Research covering the distribution of heating and ventilation Continuing the theme and running through HVAC 2018 is products – and how it’s changing; and Ian Fisher from Airmaster the Innovation Trail which will guide visitors through the Air Conditioning Ltd sharing the common causes of temperature latest innovations in the industry. This will include fresh ideas, problems in large air-conditioned buildings. new products and systems from companies such as: air conditioning manufacturer Daikin’s next generation Altherma On the UKCW Stage high-level discussions will take place on 3, which is the first domestic air-to-water heat pump with the lessons learned in the past year and how the industry is low global warming potential refrigerant, R32; and Magnum moving forward. Speakers include: Heating will be launching its new Magnum Heatboard dry build system. Victaulic, 3Thermo, Discrete Heat Company and • Barbara Res, the project manager behind Trump Tower, Verismart will also be exhibiting plus more. sharing her experiences as a female in construction and working with Donald Trump. Advanced booking is essential; LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES • Lord David Blunkett, discussing how technology and diversity Staying ahead of the curve is essential and that is why a range can turn the skills gap into a thriving industry; and of free CPD sessions are available at HVAC 2018 with expert • Kunle Barker, property expert and TV presenter, leading the panel discussion ‘Political correctness has gone mad?’ with industry experts debating diversity in construction. DOWNTIME It’s not all work at HVAC 2018 and the Beer Festival, sponsored by Velux, is open to all for networking and some relaxation. FIX Radio will be broadcasting live from the festival for all three days. Free tickets for visitors to the HVAC 2018 are available from www.hvaclive.co.uk and also provide access to: Building Tech Live, Timber Expo, Civils Expo, Surface & Materials Show, Plant & Machinery Live, Build Show and Grand Designs Live. Keep up-to-date at www.hvaclive.co.uk and on Twitter at @hvacshow or using the hashtag #HVAC2018. BESA Group 28 Companies: TRAINING

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT BESA members help hotel set sail IS IT A BOAT - OR IS IT A BUILDING? Sales manager Mike Jenkins said there were a number of unique challenges created by the nature of the project not Southampton boasts a new luxury hotel designed to least that JBH’s team were told they were “not to be seen, not resemble one of the huge super yachts that now sail the to be heard, but to work”! world’s oceans and two BESA members – J&B Hopkins and “As the project was a five star hotel there was an incredible VES – played key roles in its design and operation. emphasis on aesthetic appeal and non-intrusive services,” he Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa sits at the heart of the added. “This involved extensive review and solutions that city’s Ocean Village and features the ultimate in luxurious maintained the M&E functionality of the build, but without leisure and dining. Its contemporary interiors and exciting affecting the visual and environmental appeal.” rooftop bar reflect the marine heritage of Southampton and The interior designer also pleaded with the M&E team not “to the stunning building acts as a fitting gateway to the Solent. upset the rhythm of the corridor”! The Jetty restaurant extends onto a huge outdoor terrace, Other key features included energy efficient solutions such featuring luxury relaxation pods to take in the marina views. as use of a gas air source heat pump to pre-heat hot water The hotel also features one of Southampton’s most impressive and improve plant efficiency. events spaces with the capacity for up to 250 guests. JBH and VES worked closely together to create a bespoke BESA member J&B Hopkins carried out the M&E design solution for the extensive centralised air handling system. and installation from initial concept right the way through The AHUs are now being managed by a Trend control system to commissioning. This included the hot and cold water linked to the BMS, which was also bespoke. It was designed supplies, air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and drainage. and implemented by JBH working with controls specialist The company also provided a complete REVIT 3D design InTandem Solutions. model in collaboration with the architect, interior designer and other key members of the professional team. www.jbhopkins.co.uk | www.ves.co.uk 29

EVENTS CALENDAR 2018 EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCES BESA REGIONAL MEETINGS 2018 Sussex/Surrey Tuesday 6 November 15:30pm ConstructionLine Meet the Buyer Venue TBC Thursday 20 September - Allianz Park, London Kent Wednesday 7 November 17:00pm Venue TBC, Maidstone & UK Construction Week North East Tuesday 13 November 08:00am International Centre for Life, Tuesday 9 - Thursday 11 October - NEC, Birmingham Times Square, Newcastle London Tuesday 13 November 10:30am Rotherwick House National Conference & Awards: Eastern Counties Engineering the Future Wednesday 14 November 10:30am Venue TBC Thursday 1 November - Park Plaza Victoria, London Herts Wednesday 14 November 16:00pm Venue TBC, Hatfield Student Conference 2018 South Midlands Thursday 15 November 08:00am Venue TBC Friday 23 & Saturday 24 November East Midlands Thursday 15 November 11:00am Venue TBC & CIBSE - Build2Perform West Midlands Thursday 15 November 12:30pm Venue TBC, Solihull Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 November - Olympia, London North West Tuesday 20 November 08:00am Fleetwood Sheet Metal Ltd, 1 Denham Way, Fleetwood, Lancs FY7 6PR SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS Wessex Tuesday 20 November 08:00am Venue TBC, Southampton Free Taster Pipework and Yorkshire Wednesday 21 November 08:30am VR Workshop Leeds College of Building Wednesday 19 September – Crowne Plaza, Chester Wales Wednesday 21 November 12:30pm Venue TBC Free Taster Pipework and South East Thursday 22 November 10:30am VR Workshop Rotherwick House Thursday 4 October – The Grange University South West Thursday 22 November 12:30pm Hospital SCCC, Llanfrechfa Venue TBC, Exeter Scotland Thursday 22 November Retentions, Disputes and Payment seminar Venue TBC Wednesday 10 October - Greater Manchester Chamber Northern Ireland Wednesday 28 November of Commerce Venue TBC To book or for more information on any of our events, please visit www.theBESA.com/events BESA Group 30 Companies: TRAINING

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THE BESA BOOK 2018 Download the free BESA Mobile App! The BESA Book is used extensively by clients and end users as an integrated one-stop approach to the procurement of building and engineering services and is available to download on the mobile app. Our enhanced digital edition is now open to all our customers giving all of the benefits of digital marketing and social media which play an Search for the BESA increasingly important role in marketing and business communications to:- l Build relationships l Build loyalty l Reinforce your brand l Connect you with on-the-go customers l Give you tools that are driving the “New App Economy” l Update and expand information every month l Enhance your social networking strategies l Increase exposure across mobile devices l Increase your visibility l Increase your accessibility l Use video With functions like video, image carosels, scrolling text and rich media you can constantly add to and update your company’s message and interact with your clients. Please contact the Publishers, Open Box M&C, who will be delighted to advise you on how best to take advantage of these opportunities. OpenBox media+ communication Regent Court , 68 Caroline Street Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B3 1UG e. [email protected] t. + 44 (0)121 200 7820