As I step into the role of President of the Building Controls Industry Association, I would first like to recognise the outstanding contribution of my predecessor, Stacey Lucas. Stacey’s dedication, leadership and passion for the sector have helped strengthen the Association and elevate the voice of building controls across the industry. Thanks to her commitment and the work of the wider �鶹ԭ�� community, the Association is in a strong position as we look to the future.

Taking on this role at a time when our sector faces both significant challenges and genuine opportunities is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Today, the role of building controls sits firmly at the centre of how modern buildings perform. As expectations around safety, sustainability and building performance continue to rise, building energy management systems (BEMS) are fundamental to how buildings operate, adapt and deliver value throughout their lifecycle.

Over the next two years, my focus is clear: raising awareness of our industry and making it a career of choice; retaining existing talent by ensuring we have the right training, career and development pathways in place; and ensuring �鶹ԭ�� membership delivers real, tangible value and visibility to all our members.

Tackling the Skills Shortage

The skills shortage is not a new conversation, but it remains one of the biggest barriers to the ongoing sustainability and growth of the industry. This leads to heightened competition for experienced engineers. If we want to strengthen the future of building controls, we need to attract and train the next generation of engineers.

For me, that means making our industry more visible and more attractive - whether to young people starting their careers, individuals looking to retrain, or those returning to work. Building controls offers highly skilled, future-facing careers focused on sustainability and innovation. Our challenge is increasing awareness of opportunities.

Apprenticeships: Building the Pipeline

The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship programme was a major milestone for our industry. Seeing the 50th apprentice recently complete the programme is something we should all be proud of.

With around 280 apprentices currently on programme, the pipeline is strengthening and that represents genuine progress. Thanks go to Group Horizon, Verge and the Employers Working Group for their ongoing dedication and commitment.

However, apprenticeships are only part of the picture. We need to attract people to these apprenticeship opportunities and create clear progression routes beyond that entry point. One area I would particularly like to see progress during my presidency is the development of a degree pathway for building controls as part of an established Building Services Engineering degree, to ensure those working within the sector can develop professionally. 

T-Levels: Opening Doors Earlier

One way of attracting young people into the industry is through T-Level work placements.

When we speak to students about building controls, the reality is that most have never heard of it. They may understand mechanical and electrical engineering at a high level, but they are often unaware of the specialist systems that sit behind how buildings operate.

For many young people, once the role of building controls is explained, it quickly becomes an attractive career prospect. The sector combines engineering with digital skills such as programming, data analysis and smart technologies, while also playing a direct role in improving energy efficiency and supporting the transition to more sustainable buildings. For students who want to work with technology while making a tangible environmental impact, building controls offers a compelling career path.

I’ve seen first-hand how effective T-Levels can be when young people are given the chance to experience the industry properly. When given the opportunity for a work placement, the response is overwhelmingly positive. The appetite is there, but awareness is not.

Work placements play a crucial role as they allow young people to experience the industry while giving employers the opportunity to engage with the next generation of talent.

As an Association, we will continue supporting employers in taking on T-Level students, reducing perceived barriers and sharing the mutual benefits. It is about supporting education and attracting young talent who will be the future of our industry.

Competency and the Building Safety Act Landscape

Following the Building Safety Act, the �鶹ԭ�� has been tasked with being the responsible organisation for the Building Controls and Automation sub-sector and is tasked with developing a sector-specific competence framework.   

Over a few months, we have undertaken industry consultation around the revalidation of competency. This work is now progressing through a dedicated working group exploring how this framework should work in practice. Aligning with other professional careers where competency is clearly recognised and validated is the right step for our sector, helping to demonstrate the expertise, competence and professionalism that exists across the building controls community.

Our sector must be able to demonstrate initial and ongoing professional competence. Strengthening competency frameworks helps protect the reputation of our industry, builds trust with clients and ensures we remain aligned with the wider regulatory direction of travel.

Making Building Controls Visible

The sector needs visibility to be able to attract the talent and recognition it deserves.

Part of �鶹ԭ��’s role must be to raise that awareness and not only within the industry but also more broadly. I would love to see building controls become something the “person on the street” recognises. Greater visibility matters not only for public understanding but also for the people who influence policy and for those considering future career options.

Longer term, that also means positioning �鶹ԭ�� as the authoritative voice when policy conversations take place. When building performance, energy strategy or regulatory changes are being discussed, building controls expertise must be part of that conversation. The recent �鶹ԭ�� technical white paper, launched at the House of Lords, is an important starting point for that dialogue. It highlights the critical role intelligent building controls play in improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and supporting national net zero ambitions. Our aim now is to ensure that this evidence helps inform future policy discussions and strengthens recognition of the sector’s role in delivering better-performing buildings.

Delivering Value for Members

Visibility of the Association is important for our members to know that we’re there as a source of support. It’s fantastic to see �鶹ԭ�� membership continuing to grow but keeping our members engaged and supported is just as important as welcoming new companies into the Association.

My priority is to ensure your �鶹ԭ�� membership delivers real, practical value, making sure we are genuinely listening to what you need from us. Whether your challenges are technical, commercial or regulatory, the Association is here as a source of guidance, support and connection. Our Management Committee is elected by the membership and exists to represent you, ensuring the direction of the Association reflects the priorities and needs of the businesses we serve.

Our recent Building Safety Act workshops are a great example of this in action. They were developed directly from member feedback and demonstrate what we can achieve when we listen carefully and respond with something meaningful. We will continue to invest in initiatives that provide added value for members and deliver practical support that helps businesses navigate industry change.

I want members to feel confident in telling us what would make their membership even more valuable: whether that’s stronger political representation, clearer technical guidance, enhanced training pathways or more opportunities to connect with peers. It should always be a two-way conversation. Events such as our breakfast meetings provide a great forum for developing ideas, sharing insight and helping us better understand what our members want from their Association.

Looking Ahead

I am very much looking forward to working closely with Ron Purcell in his role as Vice President. We bring different perspectives and experiences, and I believe that balance is a real strength for the Association. The challenges facing our sector, from skills and competency to policy and market awareness, require collaborative leadership.

Ron shares my commitment to raising standards and strengthening the industry for the long term, and together we are focused on ensuring that �鶹ԭ�� remains responsive, progressive and firmly aligned with the needs of its members.

Strong leadership is never about one individual. It is about a team that listens, challenges constructively and moves the industry forward with clarity and purpose. That includes the expertise and dedication of our Management Committee and the many working groups that contribute their time and knowledge. This collaborative effort plays a vital role in shaping the Association’s direction and ensuring that the work we do reflects the needs of the wider membership.

Building controls is about doing things properly, improving buildings and contributing to sustainability in a meaningful way.

I look forward to working with our members, Management Committee, partners and the �鶹ԭ�� team as we continue working together to secure the future of our industry.