Ahead of Smart Buildings Show 2026, we highlighted the increasingly important role of building controls in improving building performance. Following two days of discussions at ExCeL London, it was clear that the challenge is no longer simply about what technology can do, but how we make better use of it.

Despite advances in building technology, the gap between design intent and operational performance remains a significant challenge. With growing pressure to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and create healthier, more comfortable environments, the building controls industry has an important role in helping building owners achieve better outcomes.

Smart Buildings Show provided an opportunity to explore these challenges, alongside the skills, industry standards and collaboration needed to address them. Throughout the event, discussions returned to the importance of making better use of existing systems while ensuring new installations are specified and delivered with clear performance objectives.

Closing the performance gap

During a panel chaired by Vice President Ron Purcell, industry experts explored why buildings continue to underperform, with integration, ongoing optimisation and effective use of operational data emerging as key priorities.

Many commercial buildings already have controls infrastructure capable of delivering significant performance improvements, yet its potential is not always realised. Systems may not be fully integrated, operating strategies can become outdated and valuable data is often underutilised.

For building owners, reviewing and optimising existing Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) can offer a practical starting point for reducing energy consumption and improving operational efficiency, often without substantial capital investment.

However, closing the performance gap also requires greater clarity at the specification stage. Without a shared understanding of what a BEMS is expected to deliver, there is a risk that systems will fall short of their intended outcomes. Our addresses this by establishing six progressive Delivery Levels, from L0 to L5, helping clients, consultants and contractors define requirements and maintain a consistent approach from specification through to commissioning and handover.

The Framework reflects an important principle highlighted throughout the show. Building performance needs to be considered from the outset and maintained throughout a building's operational life, rather than treated as something that can be addressed after installation.

The people behind intelligent buildings

The industry's ability to deliver better-performing buildings also depends on developing the skills needed to support increasingly sophisticated systems.

This was a key theme of the panel chaired by Josh Steel, Chair of our Young Engineers Network (YEN), which explored how engineering roles are evolving and what the industry will need from its future workforce.

While artificial intelligence, data analytics and connected technologies are creating new opportunities, the discussion highlighted that technical expertise alone is not enough.

Engineers need to interpret data, understand how buildings operate and translate information into practical improvements. Communication, collaboration and problem-solving remain equally important, particularly when working with customers to understand their requirements and deliver effective solutions.

Cybersecurity is also becoming a greater consideration as buildings become more connected, while the pace of technological change makes continuous learning and collaboration between different specialisms increasingly valuable.

Through initiatives such as our Young Engineers Network, alongside our wider training and professional development activities, we are helping to attract new talent and support the engineers who will shape the industry's future.

The message from the panel was clear. The industry needs people who can combine technical knowledge with practical understanding and the ability to make intelligent technology work for those who rely on it.

Building controls and the energy transition

The growing importance of building controls extends beyond individual building performance, particularly as non-domestic buildings are expected to play a greater role in supporting a more flexible, lower-carbon energy system.

At the roundtable we hosted on day 1 of the Smart Buildings Show, Interim President Graeme Rees and Vice President Ron Purcell explored how government and industry can unlock the potential of consumer-led energy flexibility.

Discussions focused on the commercial opportunities for non-domestic buildings, the gap between current market arrangements and future energy system requirements, and the policy and technical barriers that need to be addressed.

BEMS will be central to enabling this transition, coordinating building services and technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage to support more flexible energy use.

However, realising this potential at scale will require viable commercial arrangements, greater policy clarity and closer cooperation between building owners, energy networks, technology providers and government.

Through our engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders, we continue to make the case for building controls as an essential part of the UK's energy transition, ensuring our members' expertise and perspectives are represented in discussions shaping future policy and investment.

Recognising industry excellence

Alongside these discussions, our stand provided a valuable opportunity to catch up with members, meet industry partners and hear first-hand about the issues and opportunities facing the sector.

It was also fantastic to see so many Â鶹ԭ´´ members exhibiting and attending the show, connecting with colleagues across the industry, sharing ideas and showcasing the work they are doing to advance building controls. Their involvement was a reminder of the breadth of expertise, innovation and commitment within our membership.

Recognising those achievements remains an important part of our work, and the forthcoming Â鶹ԭ´´ Awards 2027, taking place on 6th May at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, will mark the Awards' 20th anniversary and celebrate excellence in technical innovation, training, engineering and service delivery.

With entries now open, we encourage members to put forward the people, projects and achievements that demonstrate the expertise and innovation driving our industry forward.

Building on the conversations

Smart Buildings Show 2026 highlighted both the opportunities ahead for the building controls industry and the importance of turning technological capability into measurable improvements.

From closing the performance gap and developing engineering skills to enabling greater energy flexibility, the discussions demonstrated how closely these priorities are connected.

Through our BEMS Delivery Framework, Young Engineers Network, training initiatives and continued engagement with government and industry, we are working with members to address these challenges and help raise standards across the sector.

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and contributed to the discussions at Smart Buildings Show. We look forward to building on those conversations and continuing our work to help deliver more efficient, intelligent and better-performing buildings.