News - 鶹ԭ - Building Controls Industry Association/news/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:06:25 +0000en-GBSite-Server v@build.version@ (http://www.squarespace.com)Controls take centre stage at Smart Buildings Show 2026MembershipBlogCatherine WalkerWed, 02 Sep 2026 10:02:16 +0000https://smartbuildingsshow.com659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a97f42885800d046bf3493aExCeL London, 14-15 October 2026

‍As buildings become more connected, the role of building controls is evolving. BMS and BEMS are no longer simply systems for monitoring plant and maintaining comfort. Increasingly, they sit at the heart of how buildings use energy, generate operational data and respond to changing demands.

‍That makes Smart Buildings Show 2026 a particularly relevant event for anyone involved in building controls, automation, BEMS and the wider intelligent building sector.

Returning to ExCeL London on 14-15 October, the show will bring together more than 100 exhibitors and over 120 speakers across four conference theatres. The Controls & Networks Theatre will have a particularly strong focus on building controls, BEMS, sensors, energy efficiency, shading, lighting, connectivity and networks – providing an opportunity to see how these technologies are increasingly being brought together.

A chance to see the bigger picture

For controls professionals, the value of the show lies in the opportunity to step outside the day-to-day focus of individual systems and consider where the wider market is heading. With building automation increasingly connected to energy management, IT infrastructure, data analytics, cybersecurity and other building technologies, keeping up with developments in adjacent areas is becoming increasingly important.

The exhibition provides an opportunity to compare technologies, meet existing and potential suppliers, discover new approaches and see how different systems are being brought together. It is also a useful environment for sharing experiences with consultants, engineers, integrators, manufacturers and building operators facing many of the same challenges around performance, integration and energy efficiency. With free access to the exhibition and conference, it offers a practical opportunity to spend a day gaining insight, making connections and assessing where the controls sector is heading.

Closing the performance gap

One of the biggest challenges facing the built environment is the gap between how buildings are designed to perform and how they actually perform once occupied.

This will be the focus of Closing the Performance Gap: Why Buildings Underperform and How Intelligent Controls Can Fix It, a panel discussion in the Controls & Networks Theatre, chaired by Ron Purcell, Vice President of the 鶹ԭ and Product Manager at Siemens. The session will explore how BACS and BEMS can identify hidden inefficiencies, support ongoing optimisation and unlock energy, carbon and operational savings. The discussion will also consider why actual performance can differ from design intent, the cost of inaction and whether the route to better performance may already be installed in the building.

‍čMaking the most of building data

The relationship between controls and data is another important theme. Modern buildings can generate huge quantities of information through sensors, meters and connected systems, but collecting data is only useful if it can support better decisions.

Andy Camsell, Technical Director at Sontay and 鶹ԭ Technical Consultant will explore this issue in his session From Sensors to Strategy, examining the contribution of operational data to asset value and the role of sensing technology in supporting energy efficiency.

For controls professionals, the session should provide useful insight into how sensor networks and BEMS can be considered not simply as components of a building system, but as infrastructure capable of supporting future operational and environmental requirements.

‍čBuilding the next generation

‍čTechnology is only part of the smart building equation. The industry also needs people with the skills to design, install, integrate and operate increasingly sophisticated systems.

That issue will be addressed by Who Will Engineer the Smart Buildings of Tomorrow?, taking place in the Controls & Networks Theatre on Thursday 15 October.

The session will examine how engineering roles and skillsets are changing alongside building automation, data analytics, AI and IoT. It will also consider the importance of core engineering knowledge, digital skills, collaboration and continuous learning.

‍čAmong the speakers is Josh Steel, Chair of the 鶹ԭ Young Engineers Network and Sales Manager at Electracom, alongside representatives from other organisations across the smart buildings sector. The panel will consider how the industry can attract, develop and support the next generation of engineers needed to deliver increasingly connected buildings.

More than controls

While controls provide a natural focus, Smart Buildings Show is also an opportunity to look at the wider technologies with which BMS and BEMS increasingly need to interact. The four theatres cover Energy Management, Controls & Networks, IT & Digital Infrastructure, and Management & PropTech, reflecting the growing convergence between physical building systems, digital infrastructure, data and building operation.

‍čFor the controls industry, that wider perspective is increasingly important. The future of building automation will depend not only on better devices and software, but on effective integration, useful data, skilled people and a clear focus on building performance.

Smart Buildings Show 2026 offers an opportunity to explore all of these themes in one place – and to consider how controls can continue to move from being part of the building infrastructure to being central to how buildings perform.

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]]>Controls take centre stage at Smart Buildings Show 2026Blog: A growing BEMS market needs a common language for deliveryBlogRachael Zaidel LambFri, 28 Aug 2026 15:05:28 +0000/news/blog-a-growing-bems-market-needs-a-common-language-for-delivery659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a91a3b9cbd05c5210c4eaa2Quarterly market figures rarely move in a straight line. What matters more is the direction of travel, and the latest data from 鶹ԭ suggests that the underlying direction of the UK Controls & BEMS market remains positive.

The latest 鶹ԭ Market Information Report (MIR) puts industry revenues at £225.9 million for Q2 2026. That represents a 3.8% reduction on an exceptionally strong first quarter, but revenues remain 10.4% higher than in Q2 last year.

Look beyond a single quarter and the picture becomes clearer. The rolling-year market has reached £878.2 million, an increase of 6.9%, but there is another story behind those figures. As demand for building controls develops, the industry needs to ensure that the quality and consistency of BEMS delivery remains to the high standard it is.

That’s the thinking behind 鶹ԭ's new BEMS Delivery Framework.

Looking beyond the quarterly movement

A 3.8% quarter-on-quarter fall inevitably attracts attention, but context matters. All three principal components of the market - Product, Installation Value Added and Service & Maintenance - recorded reductions during Q2. That followed particularly strong growth in Q1, however, and the longer-term figures provide little evidence of a change in the wider trajectory.

Installation Value Added is a good example. Q2 revenues fell 2.0% to £128.1 million, while its rolling-year value increased 7.1% to £482.3 million.

Service & Maintenance tells an equally interesting story. Revenue was down 4.9% during the quarter, but remained 2.9% above Q2 2025. Across the rolling year, it grew by 11.1% to £232.1 million.

This resilience reflects a market in which value is not confined to supplying controls equipment. Increasingly, it lies in installing, maintaining and optimising systems throughout a building's operational life.

The comparison with construction activity reinforces the point. While the Controls & BEMS market grew 6.9% on a rolling-year basis, construction output across the sectors most relevant to it was 0.5% lower.

The Q2 figures therefore look less like a reversal and more like a pause after a particularly strong opening quarter.

Growth brings a different challenge

A developing market creates opportunities, but it also exposes weaknesses. For BEMS, one of those weaknesses has long been inconsistency in how systems are described, specified and ultimately delivered.

Terms such as BMS, BEMS, integrated and smart building can cover very different levels of functionality. A client may have one expectation, the consultant another and the controls contractor a third. That ambiguity can have practical consequences.

If the required functionality is not sufficiently clear at specification and tender stage, contractors may be pricing different interpretations of ostensibly the same project. Expectations can change as the project progresses. Functionality can be reduced through value engineering. And the completed BEMS may technically satisfy a specification without delivering what the client originally thought they were buying.

As buildings become more connected and clients expect more from their data, analytics and controls, those differences become increasingly significant.

Creating a common language for BEMS

The new 鶹ԭ BEMS Delivery Framework has been developed to address that problem. It establishes six progressive Delivery Levels, from L0 to L5, providing a common, manufacturer-agnostic way of defining the level of BEMS functionality required by a project.

Rather than relying on broad descriptions of what constitutes a BEMS or smart building, clients and project teams can establish an agreed level of expectation much earlier.

 In practice, that should help:

  • clients define more clearly what they need from their BEMS;

  • consultants translate those requirements into more consistent specifications;

  • contractors understand the expected scope and price it accordingly; and project teams establish a clearer reference point for delivery, commissioning and handover.

Importantly, the Framework is not about prescribing a particular manufacturer or technical solution. Its purpose is to provide clarity about the level of delivery expected. That distinction is important. Good specification should define the outcome without unnecessarily restricting how competent specialists achieve it.

From specification to performance

Building owners and occupiers are placing greater emphasis on energy efficiency, operational costs, data and demonstrable building performance. At the same time, BEMS are evolving beyond conventional plant control towards greater integration, analytics and increasingly intelligent operation.

 A controls specification that might once have been considered adequate can therefore leave too much open to interpretation.

Consider two projects both described as requiring an "integrated smart BEMS". One client may expect central HVAC control and monitoring; another may envisage third-party integration, structured data, dashboards, analytics and a platform capable of supporting future smart-building applications.

The description sounds similar. The expected outcome - and the cost of delivering it - is very different. Creating a shared language helps expose those differences before they become problems on site.

 Supporting the next stage of the market.

The latest MIR provides good reason for confidence. Quarterly fluctuations are inevitable, but a rolling-year market approaching £880 million, alongside particularly strong growth in Installation Value Added and Service & Maintenance, points to sustained demand for the expertise surrounding building controls.

Growth alone, however, should not be the industry's only measure of progress. As BEMS become more important to energy efficiency and operational performance, clients need greater certainty about what is being specified, and contractors need greater clarity about what they are expected to deliver.

鶹ԭ's role is therefore broader than tracking the size of the market. Through initiatives such as the Market Information Report and the BEMS Delivery Framework, we can provide both the evidence needed to understand where the sector is heading and practical tools to help it develop professionally.

The 鶹ԭ BEMS Delivery Framework was originally authored and led by Christopher Kelly CEng BEng MCIBSE and is developed and maintained by the 鶹ԭ Technical Working Group.  Find out more about the 鶹ԭ BEMS Delivery Framework and how its Delivery Levels can support clearer BEMS specification, procurement and project delivery. 

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Blog: A growing BEMS market needs a common language for delivery
鶹ԭ’s latest report reveals UK Building Controls Market remains in growth territory Rachael Zaidel LambFri, 28 Aug 2026 06:58:07 +0000/news/bcias-latest-report-reveals-uk-building-controls-market-remains-in-growth-territory659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a91317fd543a4326164c797Q2 2026 at a glance

  • Total market (products + installation + service): £225.9m; –3.8% QoQ, +10.4% YoY

  • Rolling-year market: £878.2m; +6.9% vs previous 12 months

  • Installed systems: £162.7m; –2.9% QoQ, +13.6% YoY

  • Installation value added: £128.1m; +15.8% YoY; +7.1% rolling-year

  • Products: £41.3m; –7.7% QoQ, +5.4% YoY; rolling-year £163.7m; +0.7%

  • Service & maintenance: £56.5m; –4.9% QoQ, +2.9% YoY; rolling-year £232.1m; +11.1%

The UK building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) market has remained in positive territory during Q2 2026, despite a moderation in activity following the particularly strong growth recorded in the first quarter, according to the latest Market Information Report from the Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ).

Total industry revenues for Products, Installation Value Added and Service and Maintenance supplied into the UK market reached £225.9 million during Q2 2026. While this represents a 3.8% decrease compared with the previous quarter, revenues remained 10.4% higher than Q2 2025.

Total market revenues reached £878.2 million, 6.9% higher than the previous rolling-year. This compares with construction output across the key sectors relevant to the Controls and BEMS market, which fell by 0.4% during the quarter and 0.5% on a rolling-year basis.

Installed systems remain resilient

Installed Systems revenues reached £162.7 million during Q2. While this represented a 2.9% decrease from Q1, revenues were still 13.6% higher than Q2 2025.

Installation Value Added also performed strongly compared with the same quarter last year, rising by 15.8% to £128.1 million. On a rolling-year basis, Installed Systems revenues increased by 6.2%, while Installation Value Added was up 7.1%.

The proportion of value added within installed systems also increased highlighting the continued importance of engineering, commissioning and installation expertise in delivering building controls and BEMS solutions. That aligns with a broader shift toward optimising existing assets rather than wholesale replacement, as operators focus on energy performance and compliance.

Product demand remains ahead of last year

Product revenues moderated during Q2, decreasing by 7.7% to £41.3 million. However, revenues remained 5.4% higher than Q2 2025, while the rolling-year figure increased by 0.7% to £163.7 million.

While product demand has eased following the strong growth recorded at the start of the year, the market remains ahead of 2025 levels.

Service and maintenance shows continued strength

Service and Maintenance once again provided a stable revenue stream for the sector.

Revenues decreased by 4.9% during Q2 to £56.5 million but remained 2.9% higher than Q2 2025. The rolling-year figure increased by 11.1% to £232.1 million, continuing the strong longer-term performance seen in this part of the market. Strong service & maintenance growth reinforces the sector’s recurring-revenue model and the long-term role of controls in meeting net-zero and operational-performance targets.

Positive outlook for the year ahead

Overall, the Q2 2026 data suggests the market is experiencing a moderation in activity following a standout Q1.

While the three main market segments recorded quarter-on-quarter declines, revenues remained ahead of the same period last year and the rolling-year market continued to grow.

With regulation, net-zero targets and digitalisation driving building automation, the underlying demand for controls expertise and technology remains robust.

Ron Purcell, Vice President of the Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ), said: “Some moderation in Q2 was perhaps to be expected after a very strong Q1. What is encouraging is that the market remains well ahead of last year, with the rolling-year figures continuing to show healthy growth.

“The continued strong performance of Installation Value Added and Service and Maintenance is particularly significant - it reflects the fact that building controls are not simply a one-off investment in technology; the expertise required to install, commission, optimise and maintain these systems is essential to ensuring buildings perform as they should over the long term.

“As buildings become increasingly sophisticated and the focus on energy efficiency and operational performance grows, the role of controls will only become more important. The latest figures suggest that, despite some short-term fluctuations, the underlying demand for the sector’s expertise and technology remains strong.”

The 鶹ԭ publishes its Market Information Report quarterly, providing detailed data on trends, revenues and growth opportunities across the BEMS sector.

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鶹ԭ’s latest report reveals UK Building Controls Market remains in growth territory
鶹ԭ launches new BEMS Delivery Framework to tackle inconsistency in BEMS specificationsTechnicalRachael Zaidel LambTue, 18 Aug 2026 07:51:49 +0000/news/bcia-launches-new-bems-delivery-framework-to-tackle-inconsistency-in-bems-specifications659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a830b139d55c44c5eb02174The Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) has launched a new BEMS Delivery Framework designed to tackle inconsistent specification and create a clearer, more consistent approach to the delivery of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS).

Authored by Christopher Kelly CEng Beng MCIBSE, the framework has been developed and is maintained by the 鶹ԭ’s Technical Working Group. It establishes a common language for defining the level of building controls functionality required by a project.

It addresses a longstanding industry challenge: specifications can leave BEMS requirements open to interpretation, resulting in contractors pricing different levels of functionality, difficulties comparing tenders on a like-for-like basis and uncertainty over whether the completed system will meet the client’s operational expectations.

Rather than prescribing particular products, manufacturers or technologies, the framework introduces six clearly defined Delivery Levels, from L0 to L5. These range from basic controls capability through to highly integrated intelligent building functionality, allowing project teams to define the level most appropriate to a building’s operational requirements.

By establishing the required capability before products and technologies are selected, the framework gives clients, consultants, electrical contractors, controls specialists, system integrators and manufacturers a shared understanding of what the completed system is expected to achieve.

Ron Purcell, Vice President of the Building Controls Industry Association, said: "Building controls have evolved significantly, but the way we specify them has not always kept pace. Terms such as ‘integrated’ or ‘intelligent’ can mean different things to different people, creating uncertainty from tender stage right through to commissioning.

The BEMS Delivery Framework is about removing that ambiguity. It gives the industry a common language for defining what a building actually needs its controls to achieve, so everyone involved can work towards the same outcome from the outset."

The framework is deliberately manufacturer agnostic. Instead of assuming that selecting a particular technology will deliver a particular level of performance, it encourages project teams to establish the required capability first and then determine the most appropriate technical solution.

This clearer definition can support better decision-making throughout the project lifecycle, helping to reduce ambiguity within specifications, improve the consistency and quality of tender submissions and enable fairer comparison between contractor proposals.

It can also improve collaboration between consultants, controls specialists and electrical contractors, support more effective commissioning and system integration, align delivered functionality with client expectations and provide a stronger foundation for ongoing operation, maintenance and future upgrades.

Christopher Kelly CEng BEng MCIBSE, Original/Lead Author of the BEMS Delivery Framework, said: "One of the key objectives was to create something that could be understood and used across the industry. Consultants, controls specialists, electrical contractors, manufacturers and clients may approach a project from different perspectives, but ultimately they all need to be working towards the same outcome.

"The Delivery Levels provide that common reference point. This isn't about saying every building needs the most advanced solution. It's about defining the right level of functionality for each project and making that requirement clear throughout specification, procurement and delivery."

The launch comes as the role of BEMS continues to expand within increasingly connected and data-driven buildings. Building controls now support wider objectives including energy optimisation, system integration, occupant comfort, operational decision-making and long-term building performance.

As the built environment places greater emphasis on measured operational performance, 鶹ԭ believes clearer specification and high-quality engineering must increasingly go hand in hand; ensuring sophisticated technology is supported by a clear definition of what it is expected to deliver.

Ron Purcell added: "Good building performance starts with being clear about what you want the building to achieve. Technology is an incredibly powerful enabler, but it needs clearly defined objectives behind it.

"We believe the BEMS Delivery Framework can help raise consistency across the industry, strengthen collaboration and ultimately give clients greater confidence that the system they procure will deliver the functionality their building actually needs."

The 鶹ԭ BEMS Delivery Framework is available to the entire industry and can be downloaded from the 鶹ԭ website.

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鶹ԭ launches new BEMS Delivery Framework to tackle inconsistency in BEMS specifications
鶹ԭ joins British Energy Efficiency Federation PolicyRachael Zaidel LambMon, 10 Aug 2026 14:41:40 +0000/news/bcia-joins-british-energy-efficiency-federation659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a79e324662e05668fa20728The Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) has joined the British Energy Efficiency Federation (BEEF), strengthening its collective voice and helping to increase its influence on energy-efficiency policy. Through its membership, 鶹ԭ will continue to highlight the vital role that building energy management systems (BEMS) can play in improving energy performance, reducing consumption and supporting a more efficient built environment.

This membership and collaboration with BEEF builds on 鶹ԭ’s white paper, Comfort, Efficiency and Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems, which was launched at the House of Lords last year.

The white paper demonstrates the scale of the opportunity for BEMS to make buildings more energy efficient. Independent analysis found that advanced Class A BEMS deliver average energy and carbon savings of around 30%. The same analysis found that advanced building controls represent the most cost-effective route to improving building performance over a ten-year period, delivering significant energy and carbon savings while generating a strong return on investment.

Catherine Walker, Executive Officer at 鶹ԭ, said:

“鶹ԭ is delighted to join the British Energy Efficiency Federation and to work alongside organisations that share our commitment to improving energy efficiency across the built environment. Effective, consistent policy is essential to creating the confidence needed for investment in energy-saving technologies and skills. As the demand for smarter, more efficient buildings continues to grow, building energy management systems have an important role to play in monitoring performance, optimising building services and reducing energy consumption. By collaborating with government and complementary trade associations, we can help ensure that policy reflects the practical opportunities and challenges facing the industry.”

Andrew Warren, Chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, added:

“I am delighted that a key industry organisation like 鶹ԭ has become the latest trade association to become involved with the British Energy Efficiency Federation.

“The Federation (BEEF) was formed by the then Deputy Prime Minister, the late John Prescott, in 1997. It brings together 16 of the main trade associations concerned with manufacturing, distributing and installing energy-saving equipment and services. We meet quarterly in the offices of the relevant government department—then the ODPM, now DESNZ—and our sessions are attended by selected senior officials from across government.

“It is excellent news that 鶹ԭ is so publicly acknowledging the importance of collaborating with complementary trade associations, particularly when working with government to support and enhance investment in energy efficiency.”

鶹ԭ will keep members updated on any key discussions and opportunities arising from its membership.

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鶹ԭ joins British Energy Efficiency Federation
鶹ԭ welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to technical education SkillsRachael Zaidel LambWed, 29 Jul 2026 10:49:07 +0000/news/bcia-welcomes-the-prime-ministers-commitment-to-technical-education659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a69daa4c496a4034e3ad81eThe Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to giving technical education the same status and recognition as traditional academic routes, creating clearer pathways into skilled careers and strengthening connections between education and industry from an earlier age. The Government's focus on technical skills, employer engagement and work-ready learning reflects an approach that is already delivering success within the building controls sector.

Over recent years, the building controls industry has been demonstrating the value of technical education through the successful delivery of the Level 4 Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship, that provides a clear route into a highly skilled, SusTech profession. More recently, employers across the sector have also embraced T Levels, helping students gain meaningful industry experience and practical workplace skills while building awareness of career opportunities within building controls.

As buildings become smarter, more connected and more energy efficient demand continues to grow.  These careers combine engineering, digital technology, data and sustainability, placing building controls at the heart of the UK's net zero transition.

Catherine Walker, Executive Officer of the 鶹ԭ commented: "We welcome the Prime Minister's recognition that technical careers can be as valuable as academic pathways. Our industry has already seen the benefits that high-quality technical education can deliver through the Level 4 BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship which is successfully delivering a high-quality pipeline of talented engineers, and more recently, through engagement with T Levels. These programmes are helping to attract and develop the skilled individuals our industry needs while providing young people with routes into rewarding, long-term careers.

Building controls is a profession for the future, combining technology, engineering and sustainability to make buildings intelligent. It’s a sector where skills are in high demand so it’s vital that young people can clearly see the opportunities available. The 鶹ԭ looks forward to supporting the Government's ambitions and helping create even stronger pathways into careers in Building Controls and BEMS."

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鶹ԭ welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to technical education
The direction of travel: why building controls are becoming central to better buildingsPolicyBlogRachael Zaidel LambWed, 22 Jul 2026 09:09:27 +0000/news/blog-the-direction-of-travel-why-building-controls-are-becoming-central-to-better-buildings659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a60882644cbd05c8e7d3cc5Over the past few months, we've seen a remarkable number of significant developments. The Government has confirmed strengthened Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for larger non-domestic buildings. The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard has been launched. Intelligent building controls are receiving greater recognition within Welsh Building Regulations. The Climate Change Committee has challenged us to think more seriously about climate resilience and preparing our buildings for a hotter future.

Each of these changes matters in its own right. What is particularly significant, however, is what they collectively tell us about the direction of travel.

For many years, our industry has rightly focused on reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions. Those priorities remain fundamental. What is changing is how success is being defined.

Increasingly, buildings are no longer judged simply by how they are designed to perform or whether they achieve a particular compliance standard. Instead, they are judged by how they actually perform throughout their operational life. Can they operate efficiently every day? Can they adapt as occupancy changes? Can they provide healthy, comfortable environments? Can they remain resilient as our climate continues to change?

That represents one of the biggest shifts our industry has seen in many years. More importantly, it reflects something our sector has understood for a long time: good buildings are not created through design alone. They are created through intelligent operation.

Looking beyond individual announcements

The recent changes to non-domestic MEES are a good example. Much of the discussion has focused on achieving EPC B. Important though that is, the bigger opportunity is ensuring buildings continue to perform efficiently once they are occupied.

The same thinking sits behind the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Its emphasis on measured operational performance rather than predicted performance reflects a growing recognition that buildings should be judged by what they actually deliver.

It is also encouraging to see intelligent building controls gaining greater recognition within Welsh Building Regulations. Building controls are increasingly being recognised not as an optional enhancement, but as fundamental infrastructure that enables buildings to perform as intended.

When you look across these developments together, a clear pattern emerges. The direction of travel is moving beyond compliance and towards performance.

A different conversation about buildings

The priorities of our industry continue to evolve.

Today's buildings must do far more than minimise energy use. They must support occupant wellbeing, improve productivity, respond intelligently to changing patterns of use and remain resilient throughout their lifetime.

Energy efficiency, operational performance, occupant wellbeing and climate resilience are no longer separate conversations. They have become inseparable.

The Climate Change Committee's latest report, A Well-Adapted UK, reinforces exactly that point. Its focus on overheating is not simply about hotter summers. It reflects a growing recognition that buildings must continue to perform effectively as external conditions change.

This is why overheating should no longer be viewed simply as an environmental issue. It is a commercial, operational and societal one, affecting productivity, learning, occupant wellbeing and organisational resilience.

Climate adaptation and decarbonisation should not be viewed as competing priorities. Buildings designed for yesterday's climate cannot be expected to perform effectively in tomorrow's.

Building controls have never been more relevant

For those working across the building controls industry, this changing conversation feels familiar.

For many years, 鶹ԭ has argued that intelligent Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) are about far more than reducing energy consumption. They enable buildings to continuously monitor, adapt and optimise their performance, balancing heating, cooling and ventilation in response to occupancy, internal conditions and external weather.

When we launched our white paper, Comfort, Efficiency & Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems, last year, we weren't simply making the case for smarter controls. We were making the case for a broader definition of building performance, recognising energy efficiency, occupant comfort, wellbeing, productivity and operational resilience as complementary outcomes.

Looking at the policy landscape today, it is encouraging to see many of those same principles increasingly being reflected across Government and the wider built environment. In many ways, it feels as though the rest of the industry is beginning to recognise what our sector has understood for years.

An opportunity for 鶹ԭ members

That should give 鶹ԭ members real confidence.

It would be easy to look at recent announcements and see only new regulations or compliance requirements. Instead, they should be viewed as evidence that operational building performance is becoming central to how buildings are designed, delivered, operated and valued.

Building controls have sometimes been viewed as a specialist engineering discipline that supports the wider building services strategy. Increasingly, they are being recognised as an essential part of creating buildings that are efficient, resilient, healthy and future-ready.

As expectations continue to evolve, intelligent building controls are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between design intent and in-use performance. Few technologies contribute simultaneously to energy efficiency, carbon reduction, occupant wellbeing, operational resilience and long-term building performance.

That is an incredibly strong position for our sector to be in.

Looking ahead

Looking back over the past few months, there is every reason to be encouraged. Not simply because we have seen new policies, standards or regulations, but because they all point in the same direction.

Perhaps the most significant change is the growing recognition that better buildings are created through intelligent operation, continual optimisation and a commitment to delivering measurable performance throughout a building's life.

That is a conversation 鶹ԭ has been leading for many years through our members, our technical expertise and our research. Today, it feels as though the wider industry is beginning to join us.

The direction of travel has never been clearer. Our industry is moving beyond individual technologies and isolated policy initiatives towards a future where operational performance, occupant wellbeing, energy efficiency and climate resilience are recognised as inseparable parts of creating better buildings.

That is good news for our members, good news for the built environment and, ultimately, good news for everyone who lives, works and learns in the buildings we help create.

Building controls are no longer simply supporting that future - they are helping to define it.

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The direction of travel: why building controls are becoming central to better buildings
Help decide who takes home gold at the 鶹ԭ AwardsAwardsRachael Zaidel LambWed, 08 Jul 2026 09:39:25 +0000/news/help-decide-who-takes-home-gold-at-the-bcia-awards659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a50b9f42ddcc54fbfbf69acThe Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) is calling on experienced building controls and automation professionals to join its esteemed judging panel for the sector’s biggest benchmark of excellence – the 鶹ԭ Awards 2027.

With entries to the awards due to launch after the summer, the association is looking to enlist the help of building energy management systems (BEMS) industry experts with particular expertise in technical, product or service development, training and skills, or project management.

Being a member of the judging panel will involve the independent and fair appraisal and scoring of nominations to develop a shortlist of candidates that represents the very best of the building controls and automation sector.

The time commitment for this voluntary role would likely be between two and three days between January and May. Appointed judges will be asked to judge several categories according to expertise, with all judging done remotely through a formal online system. A briefing meeting will be held to ensure judges are fully familiar with the process, criteria and scoring system.

The judging process is entirely transparent and robust and the clear policy is outlined in the 鶹ԭ’s published Rules, Policies and Procedures. Copies can be provided by emailing catherinew@bcia.co.uk. Furthermore, all judges will be expected to comply with the T&C’s.

Promotional activity recognises the important role of the judges, so this is a superb opportunity for participants to raise professional profiles and reputations. All judges will also be welcomed as guests to the 鶹ԭ Awards 2027 ceremony, taking place at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 6th May 2027.

More information on what being a judge entails can be found by clicking . For those interested, applications can be . Please note, the deadline for applications to join the judging panel is Friday 31st July 2026.

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Help decide who takes home gold at the 鶹ԭ Awards
Government raises the bar on commercial building efficiency: now operational performance must followPolicyRachael Zaidel LambWed, 24 Jun 2026 08:12:39 +0000/news/government-raises-the-bar-on-commercial-building-efficiency-now-operational-performance-must-follow659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a3ce2f7c308c8345e24a1aaThe Government's confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031 represents one of the most significant developments in commercial building energy policy for many years.

The Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) welcomes the announcement. Raising the minimum standard from EPC E to EPC B sends a clear signal that improving building performance is becoming an increasingly pressing priority. It reflects the crucial role that non-domestic buildings must play in reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions and supporting the UK's wider net zero ambitions.

However, achieving EPC B at scale will require more than replacing equipment or undertaking expensive refurbishment projects. It will require a greater focus on how buildings function day-to-day and a recognition that some of the most significant energy savings can be achieved through smarter building operation.

This is where building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have a critical role to play.

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What has the Government announced?

Under the Government's proposals, privately rented buildings in England and Wales with a floor area of more than 1,000 square metres will be required to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, where improvements are considered cost-effective.

Buildings below 1,000 square metres will continue to be subject to the existing minimum standard of EPC E, with no confirmed timetable for introducing higher requirements.

The Government has also confirmed that existing flexibility measures will remain in place, including:

·        the seven-year payback test

·        existing exemptions where improvements are not practical or cost effective

·        a continued focus on proportionate investment

These measures recognise that improving energy efficiency must remain commercially viable while supporting wider decarbonisation ambitions.

A welcome step forward – but only part of the journey

The new proposals represent genuine progress, yet they should also be viewed as the beginning of a wider conversation about building performance

Although buildings larger than 1,000 square metres account for only around 7% of non-domestic buildings, they are responsible for more than half of the sector's total floor space and energy consumption. Improving the performance of these buildings therefore offers significant opportunities to reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions and cut operational costs.

The proposals also provide greater certainty for building owners, investors and occupiers as expectations around sustainability and energy performance continue to increase.

Nevertheless, limiting the new requirements to larger buildings means thousands of smaller commercial properties will remain outside the scope of the proposed changes for the foreseeable future.

While this is disappointing, the direction of travel is clear. Expectations around commercial building energy performance will continue to rise, and organisations that begin improving their buildings now will be better placed to meet future regulatory and commercial demands.

EPC ratings are only part of the story

Energy Performance Certificates remain an important policy tool. They provide a useful benchmark and help create a consistent framework for improving energy efficiency across the built environment.

However, EPCs provide an indication of a building's theoretical energy efficiency and do not necessarily reflect how efficiently a building performs in operation.

Across the commercial property sector, it is common to find buildings consuming significantly more energy than they need because heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems are not operating efficiently. Buildings are often heated when unoccupied, ventilation systems run regardless of demand and cooling systems operate unnecessarily because controls are poorly configured or no longer reflect how the building is used.

As a result, buildings can achieve acceptable EPC ratings while still wasting substantial amounts of energy.

This so-called performance gap is becoming increasingly significant. Improving how buildings operate in practice will become just as important as improving the building fabric itself.

Building controls provide one of the most effective routes to better performance

Building automation and controls provide one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to improve operational building performance.

Modern Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) continuously monitor, analyse and optimise building services in response to occupancy levels, weather conditions, internal temperatures and operational demand. Rather than relying on fixed schedules, systems can respond dynamically throughout the day, ensuring energy is only used when and where it is needed.

This enables building owners and facilities managers to reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, improve occupant comfort and optimise operational performance.

Crucially, many of these improvements can be achieved without major structural interventions or costly refurbishment programmes.

The 鶹ԭ's white paper, Comfort, Efficiency and Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems, demonstrates the scale of the opportunity.

Independent analysis found that advanced Class A BEMS deliver average energy and carbon savings of around 30%. The research also found that a typical 1,000m² office building can achieve a return on investment of 143% over ten years, with a payback period of approximately four years.

The same analysis found that advanced building controls represent the most cost-effective route to improving building performance over a ten-year period, delivering significant energy and carbon savings while generating a strong return on investment.

For organisations preparing for EPC B, that is a compelling proposition.

The benefits go far beyond energy savings

Improving building performance is not simply about reducing energy consumption.

Advanced building controls also deliver wider benefits for occupants, organisations and the economy.

The 鶹ԭ's research suggests that improved comfort in office environments could contribute an additional £12.75 billion in annual Gross Value Added by 2050, while helping to reduce workforce sickness absence by around 2 million days every year.

In education, the analysis estimates that 552,000 more pupils could have passed national examinations in 2024 if advanced Class A BEMS had been installed in every classroom.

These findings reinforce a wider point: building performance is not just an energy issue - it is also a productivity issue, a health issue and an economic issue.

As organisations place greater emphasis on employee wellbeing, operational resilience and sustainability performance, intelligent building operation is becoming a strategic business priority.

A missed opportunity for smaller buildings

While the 鶹ԭ welcomes the Government's ambition for larger buildings, it is disappointing that the new requirements will not extend to buildings less than 1,000 square metres. These buildings undoubtedly offer significant opportunities for energy savings and carbon reduction. However, they represent only a small proportion of the UK's total non-domestic building stock.

Thousands of smaller commercial buildings will remain subject to the existing EPC E requirement, with no confirmed roadmap for further improvement. Collectively, these buildings still consume substantial amounts of energy and represent a major opportunity to improve performance across the wider built environment.

Many of these buildings could achieve meaningful reductions in energy consumption through relatively straightforward operational improvements and upgrades to building controls.

While the Government's proposals represent welcome progress, the 鶹ԭ would like to see a clearer long-term pathway for improving the energy performance of smaller non-domestic buildings. If the UK is serious about reducing emissions, improving productivity and lowering energy costs across the economy, these buildings cannot be overlooked indefinitely.

Preparing for 2031 starts today

Although the proposed deadline may appear some way off, improving commercial buildings is rarely a quick process. ‍

Property owners may need to assess existing assets, prioritise investment, develop phased improvement programmes and coordinate upgrades across multiple sites. Organisations with large property portfolios may also need to balance compliance requirements against budget constraints and lease arrangements.

Building controls should therefore be viewed as an early priority rather than a final addition. By understanding how buildings are currently performing, organisations can identify where operational improvements will deliver the greatest return while helping to support future EPC B compliance.

Beyond EPC B

‍The Government's announcement is about more than meeting regulations. ‍

Industry attention is also shifting towards actual building performance. Initiatives such as the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard reflect a growing emphasis on how buildings perform in use rather than how they are expected to perform on paper.

The Government's announcement therefore presents an opportunity not only to improve compliance, but also to improve the way commercial buildings are managed and operated, delivering benefits that extend beyond energy savings to include lower operating costs, improved occupant comfort and stronger environmental performance.

The 鶹ԭ welcomes the Government's commitment to strengthening minimum energy efficiency standards for larger non-domestic buildings. While the proposals could have gone further by including a greater proportion of non-domestic buildings, they represent a positive step towards improving the performance of the built environment.

Building controls have a critical role to play in helping organisations meet these higher standards. Independent analysis undertaken for the 鶹ԭ has shown that advanced Building Energy Management Systems are among the most cost-effective measures available to improve building performance, delivering significant energy and carbon savings while generating a strong return on investment.

As organisations prepare for EPC B, building controls form an important part of the solution, helping building owners and operators improve performance, reduce energy consumption and maximise the value of their assets.

As the Government's proposals develop, the 鶹ԭ will continue to work with industry and policymakers to ensure building automation and controls remain central to delivering a more energy-efficient, productive and sustainable built environment.

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Government raises the bar on commercial building efficiency: now operational performance must follow
President’s Blog: Preparing buildings for a hotter future: why overheating in buildings must become a climate adaptation priorityRachael Zaidel LambTue, 23 Jun 2026 10:23:49 +0000/news/presidents-blog-preparing-buildings-for-a-hotter-future-why-overheating-in-buildings-must-become-a-climate-adaptation-priority659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a3a5eb5d00cca71b51285d4Following the unusual phenomenon of a late spring heatwave and forecasters predicting a hot summer in the UK, the conversation around overheating in buildings is becoming harder to ignore. The Climate Change Committee’s latest report, paints a stark picture of a country that remains underprepared for rising temperatures and the wider impacts of climate change.

Recent media coverage has focused on worker safety, productivity and suggestions that schools may eventually need to rethink exam schedules to avoid peak summer heat. For those of us working in building performance and controls, these warnings should not come as a surprise. Throughout my time in the industry, I have seen how quickly building performance moves up the agenda once organisations recognise the direct link between occupant wellbeing, operational efficiency and business outcomes.

For many years, the industry has rightly focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Those priorities remain essential. What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that buildings must also be capable of adapting to a hotter future.

Overheating is no longer just a comfort issue

Overheating has direct implications for worker productivity, occupant wellbeing, learning outcomes and operational resilience.

Poor indoor environmental quality can affect concentration, fatigue, cognitive performance and sickness absence. In schools, excessive heat and poor ventilation can influence learning outcomes. In healthcare environments, overheating creates additional risks for vulnerable patients and clinical operations.

The Climate Change Committee has highlighted the need for greater heat resilience across the UK, placing increasing pressure on building owners and operators to maintain healthy indoor environments while continuing to meet decarbonisation objectives. This is where building performance and climate adaptation become inseparable.

Why building energy management systems matter

Building energy management systems (BEMS) and smart building controls provide a practical and scalable way to address overheating risk while supporting operational efficiency.

Modern BEMS can continuously monitor and optimise heating, cooling and ventilation systems in response to occupancy levels, internal conditions and external weather patterns. Rather than operating building services according to fixed schedules, intelligent building operation allows buildings to respond dynamically throughout the day.

This approach helps maintain thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption. That balance is becoming increasingly important as organisations seek to improve both climate resilience and operational building performance.

Adaptation and decarbonisation must work together

Climate adaptation and building decarbonisation are often treated as separate challenges. In reality, they are closely connected. Buildings that struggle with overheating frequently rely on reactive cooling strategies that increase energy demand and operating costs. Smart HVAC controls enable a more intelligent approach, helping buildings maintain comfortable conditions while using energy more efficiently.

The goal should not simply be cooler buildings. It should be future-ready buildings that deliver comfort, efficiency and resilience simultaneously.

This is not a theoretical challenge. It is one we have already explored in detail through our white paper, Comfort, Efficiency and Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems.

The findings demonstrate that advanced Class A BEMS can deliver substantial benefits beyond energy savings alone. Research suggests improved comfort in office environments could contribute an additional £12.75 billion in annual GVA by 2050, while advanced BEMS could help reduce workforce sick days by 2 million per year. In education, the analysis estimates that 552,000 more pupils could have passed national exams in 2024 if Class A BEMS had been installed in every classroom.

These findings reinforce an important point. Occupant wellbeing, worker productivity and learning outcomes are increasingly becoming building performance issues.

A more connected strategy is needed

The growing focus on overheating in buildings also raises important policy questions. The UK needs a more joined-up strategy that connects climate adaptation, building performance and decarbonisation. We have previously called for consultation on a statutory maximum indoor air temperature for non-domestic buildings, recognising that thermal comfort is becoming a health, economic and societal issue rather than simply a facilities management concern.

It also reinforces a broader point we continue to make: building controls must be recognised as essential infrastructure within discussions around building performance, energy policy and climate resilience.

As temperatures are predicted to continue to rise as a result of global warming, operational performance must sit alongside energy efficiency in future building policy discussions. The industry has spent years discussing how to reduce emissions from buildings. That conversation remains vital. The next challenge is ensuring those buildings remain safe, comfortable and productive in a changing climate.

Smart building controls are no longer simply an energy efficiency measure. They are essential infrastructure for climate-resilient buildings, healthier indoor environments and better building performance.

If the UK is serious about preparing for a potentially hotter future, intelligent building operation must become part of the national adaptation strategy. The technology exists today. The challenge now is ensuring it is recognised, valued and deployed at the scale needed to support the buildings of tomorrow.

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President’s Blog: Preparing buildings for a hotter future: why overheating in buildings must become a climate adaptation priority
Will you lend your experience to support the next generation? Rachael Zaidel LambTue, 23 Jun 2026 08:04:01 +0000/news/will-you-lend-your-experience-to-support-the-next-generation659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a3a3df1cc70a34fb1fc7243鶹ԭ are looking to appoint a part-time Trainer, on a self-employed basis to deliver 鶹ԭ technical courses.

Will you lend your experience to support the next generation?

鶹ԭ has been developing and delivering industry accredited training for many years. Our courses provide the most current and comprehensive learning programme for Building Controls Engineers and are recognised as the industry standard. To support more engineers with their learning, 鶹ԭ is looking for a part-time Trainer, to work on a self-employed basis to deliver 鶹ԭ courses.

Initially the requirement is likely to be around one course per calendar month but this will fluctuate based on demand. Whilst this will primarily be online the ability to deliver in-person training at locations across the UK would be preferred.

The Trainer will be required to deliver 鶹ԭ BCM courses, predominantly online, these courses are: BCM00, BCM01, BCM02, BCM03, BCM04, BCM05, BCM06.

The closing date for applications is the 24th July. We encourage early applicants as 鶹ԭ reserves the right to close applications early.

For more details about the role (including job description, application details etc.) please click here.

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Will you lend your experience to support the next generation?
Blog: Building Safety Act Training - Why Continual Learning Matters in a Changing IndustryRachael Zaidel LambMon, 22 Jun 2026 08:20:59 +0000/news/blog/building-safety-act-training-why-continual-learning-matters-in-a-changing-industry659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a38f06b4bbeff408b08e80bPresident Jen Vickers shares why continued learning is so important in our changing industry and what she learned from attending one of 鶹ԭ’s Building Safety Act training sessions.

The Building Safety Act is one of the most significant developments to affect the built environment in recent years. While much of the discussion understandably focuses on compliance and higher-risk buildings, the legislation also reflects something much broader: a fundamental shift in how competence, accountability and professional responsibility are viewed across the industry.

That was one of the reasons I recently chose to attend 鶹ԭ's Building Safety Act Awareness Training course. Like many people across our industry, I wanted to better understand how the legislation is shaping expectations around competence and professional responsibility.

The decision to attend the training was also driven by something that extends beyond legislation itself: the importance of continuing to learn throughout our professional careers.

Having worked within the building controls sector for many years, I wanted to strengthen my own understanding of the legislation and its wider implications. What I took away from the training was not simply a greater appreciation of the regulatory requirements. It reinforced the importance of continual learning and highlighted why every professional involved in the built environment needs to understand the changing landscape in which we operate.

Building Safety Act Training is about more than compliance

The Building Safety Act was introduced following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and represents a significant reform of building safety regulation in England. It established new responsibilities, introduced clearer accountability and created the Building Safety Regulator to oversee higher-risk buildings and help raise standards across the sector.

What struck me during the training was that the legislation is not solely about introducing new rules. It reflects a wider industry expectation that competence must be demonstrated, maintained and continually developed throughout a professional career.

For many years, technical competence has been recognised as important. The Building Safety Act reinforces the principle that competence cannot be assumed simply because someone has experience. Professionals must remain current, understand evolving responsibilities and be able to demonstrate that they possess the knowledge required to undertake their role effectively.

This is a message that extends far beyond those directly involved with higher-risk buildings.

Why Building Controls professionals need to understand the wider regulatory environment

Building controls professionals play a vital role in delivering safe, efficient and sustainable buildings, as our work does not exist in isolation.

Modern buildings are complex environments where building services, controls, fire safety, energy performance and occupant wellbeing are closely interconnected. Decisions made in one area can have significant implications elsewhere.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of the training was the emphasis placed on understanding the wider building lifecycle and the responsibilities of different stakeholders. It furthered my beliefs that none of us work in isolation. The decisions we make as professionals often have consequences beyond our immediate area of expertise, which makes a broader understanding of the wider built environment increasingly valuable.

Building controls specialists may not always be directly accountable under specific Building Safety Act dutyholder roles. Nevertheless, understanding how those responsibilities interact helps professionals make better decisions, communicate more effectively with project teams and contribute to safer outcomes.

A broader understanding of the regulatory environment also enables professionals to engage more confidently with clients, consultants and building owners who are themselves adapting to new expectations.

Competence is a journey, not a destination

One of the most important lessons reinforced by the training is that learning should never stop.

It is easy to assume that professional development becomes less important as experience grows. My own personal experience suggests the opposite is true.

I have learned over the years that experience alone is not enough. The built environment is constantly evolving, and remaining curious and open to learning helps us ask better questions, challenge our own assumptions and adapt to change more effectively.

Professional development is not simply about gaining qualifications or attending training courses. It is about maintaining a mindset that allows us to keep improving, broaden our understanding and continue adding value throughout our careers.

The built environment is evolving at an unprecedented pace. New legislation, emerging technologies, changing standards and increasing expectations around sustainability, building performance and safety are continually reshaping the industry. Building controls sits at the intersection of many of these trends, from intelligent buildings and digitalisation through to energy efficiency, decarbonisation and building safety. Keeping pace with that change requires a commitment to continual learning.

The Building Safety Act is simply one example of a wider trend towards greater professional accountability and evidence-based competence.

Maintaining professional knowledge is therefore an ongoing commitment throughout a career, regardless of experience level. Continuous professional development helps ensure knowledge remains relevant, skills remain current and organisations can demonstrate a commitment to maintaining high standards.

Collaboration is central to better building outcomes

Another key takeaway from the training was the importance of collaboration.

The Building Safety Act encourages greater clarity around responsibilities, but it also highlights the need for effective communication between disciplines. No single profession is solely responsible for building safety.

Achieving safer, better-performing buildings requires everyone involved in their design, construction and operation to understand both their own responsibilities and how they connect with those of others.

Architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, facilities managers, building controls professionals and systems integrators  all contribute to the performance and safety of buildings throughout their lifecycle.

The most successful projects are often those where information is shared openly, responsibilities are understood and different disciplines work together towards common objectives.

For building controls professionals, understanding the challenges faced by colleagues across the wider built environment helps strengthen those collaborative relationships and ultimately contributes to better outcomes for building owners and occupants.

The role of Industry Bodies in raising standards

Professional bodies have an important role to play in supporting competence and promoting best practice.

At 鶹ԭ, we have long recognised that skills development, training and professional standards are fundamental to the future of both our industry and the buildings we help deliver. Our commitment extends beyond technical excellence to supporting members as the wider regulatory environment evolves.

Training initiatives such as Building Safety Act Awareness Training provide an important foundation for understanding emerging requirements and industry expectations. They also create opportunities for professionals to engage with broader industry developments and consider how these may influence their own roles.

Importantly, learning should not stop at awareness level.

As the industry continues to develop its understanding of the legislation and associated competence requirements, there is clear value in creating opportunities for more advanced learning and professional development.

Maintaining momentum

The Building Safety Act has undoubtedly changed the conversation around competence and accountability.

More importantly, it has highlighted the need for continual learning throughout the built environment. Regardless of role, sector or experience level, professionals must be prepared to adapt, develop their knowledge and embrace evolving expectations.

My experience attending 鶹ԭ's Building Safety Act training reinforced the value of taking time to step back, broaden our understanding and continue learning. It is an investment that benefits not only individual professionals but the wider industry.

鶹ԭ remains committed to supporting members through training, education and professional development initiatives. We are already exploring opportunities for further Building Safety Act-related learning, including more advanced pathways that can help members deepen their understanding as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

Professional competence is not achieved through a single course. It is built through a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous improvement and a shared determination to raise standards across our industry.

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Blog: Building Safety Act Training - Why Continual Learning Matters in a Changing Industry
Registration Opens for the UK's Leading Construction & Design EventRachael Zaidel LambMon, 15 Jun 2026 10:23:54 +0000/news/registration-opens-for-the-uks-leading-construction-amp-design-event659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a2fd2ba9a24901d77e482d7The UK’s most comprehensive construction and design show is back! , taking place at Excel London on 25th & 26th November 2026, will bring together the entire built environment industry for two days of networking, innovation, entertainment and business opportunities. Once again, 鶹ԭ will be a partner for this significant event.

Co-located with , the event will unite construction, design, real estate, engineering, fire safety, digital construction, sustainability, and HVAC professionals under one roof at the UK’s ultimate built environment event.

With 25,000+ attendees, 650+ exhibitors, 900+ speakers across 17 CPD-accredited stages and 40+ networking events, London Build is more than just an expo - it’s a Festival of Construction. Expect live music, entertainment, DJs, interactive workshops, an Architect’s Hub, a Government Hub, start-up showcases and thousands of opportunities to connect with the industry’s leading professionals.

Visitors can now register for their FREE ticket, providing two-day access to the latest innovations, products, technologies and insights shaping the future of construction and the built environment.

Register for free here:

CPD content across 17 stages  

London Build will host over 900 speakers across 17 CPD-accredited stages. This year's conference programme will explore the biggest trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the built environment, including Sustainability and Net Zero, AI and Digital Construction, Fire Safety, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), Housing and Infrastructure, Diversity and Inclusion, Skills and Workforce Development, Architecture and Design Innovation, and much more.

The first 150+ thought leaders announced for London Build 2026 include:

●       Luke Hands, Director of Health, Safety, Environment & Quality - Ardmore Group‍ ‍

●       Ilka van Heerden, Head of Preconstruction - Structure Tone UK

●       Charlotte Sargeant, Head of Land and Partnerships, East Midlands - Keepmoat Homes

●       Neville Grunwald, Director Facades & Roofs - Wates Construction

●       Andrew J Taylor, Group Planning and Sustainability Director - Vistry Group

●       Diana Otieno, Head of Resident Engagement and Compliance (Fire Safety) - Peabody

●       Nicola Forest, Head of Sustainability - Structure Tone London

●       Lucy Thomas, Marketing Director - Landsec

They are joined by senior representatives from leading organisations including Bovis, Purcell, BAM, Sisk, Places for People, Notting Hill Genesis, Graham, Bellway, London Councils, Brent Council, RIBA, Pascall+Watson, and many more across the UK built environment sector. Take a look at the current line-up .

A major meeting place for the built environment

The show is expected to welcome over 25,000 visitors from contractors and subcontractors, developers and housebuilders, architects and designers, structural and civil engineers, sustainability and technology teams, consultancies, local authorities and housing associations. Attendee job titles include CEOs, Managing Directors, Construction Managers, Design Managers, Digital Construction Managers, Directors of Sustainability and other key decision-makers from across the industry.

Here is a snapshot of the types of companies you'll meet from across the built environment, including: Balfour Beatty, Mace, AECOM, Multiplex, Morgan Sindall, Bouygues, BDP, Willmott Dixon, Skanska, Bellway, Wates, BAM UK, McLaren, Lendlease, Laing O’Rourke, Costain, Arup, Zaha Hadid Architects, Taylor Wimpey, TfL, Tilbury Douglas, as well as many other top companies who are all looking for the latest products and services.

The 2026 event will feature more than 650 exhibitors, bringing together leading manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers and innovators from across the construction and built environment sectors. Confirmed exhibitors include: Quelfire, Ryno, Siemens, Simpro, ASFP, Bosch, JamesHardie, Polypipe, Howdens, Rockwool, ELTA, Smeg, Armatherm and Baldwin Boxall.

Secure your free ticket today  

Whether you're looking to discover new products, connect with industry leaders or stay ahead of the latest trends, your FREE ticket gives you access to:

●       25,000+ attendees from across the UK’s built environment sector

●       650+ exhibitors showcasing the latest products, technologies and services

●       900+ speakers across 17 CPD-accredited conference stages

●       Architect’s Hub featuring upcoming projects and innovations

●       Government Hub showcasing major developments and opportunities

●       Exclusive networking events hosted with industry bodies and partners

●       The UK’s largest networking events for Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction

●       Live entertainment, DJs and festival experiences

●       Interactive workshops, live demos and start-up showcases

Register for free today:

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Registration Opens for the UK's Leading Construction & Design Event
鶹ԭ Warns Non-Domestic Buildings Risk Being Overlooked Despite £40bn+ Decarbonisation DrivePolicyRachael Zaidel LambTue, 09 Jun 2026 11:47:46 +0000/news/uk-building-controls-market-sees-strong-start-to-2026-with-revenues-rising-to-2348m-t867r659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a27e8e87456e4688bca672eCommercial and public buildings risk being left behind in the UK's transition to net zero despite more than £40bn of funding, investment and policy support being directed towards building decarbonisation, according to the latest Policy Pulse report from the Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ).

The new report highlights a wave of fresh funding commitments, regulatory reforms and performance standards designed to improve building efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. However, while significant support is being directed towards domestic retrofit and wider decarbonisation initiatives, 鶹ԭ is calling for greater clarity around the future policy framework for non-domestic buildings.

Across the policy developments examined in the report, a consistent theme emerges -greater emphasis on building performance, operational outcomes, electrification and data-driven decision making.

New regulations in Wales, the introduction of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and the forthcoming Future Buildings Standard all strengthen the role of intelligent building controls in delivering compliant, high-performing buildings. The report also highlights a growing shift towards performance-led funding models, creating opportunities for technologies capable of demonstrating measurable energy savings and ROI.

However, despite the positive direction of travel, 鶹ԭ says a critical policy gap remains for non-domestic buildings.

While the Warm Homes Plan sets out a long-term strategy for domestic decarbonisation backed by £15bn investment, no equivalent framework has yet been established for non-domestic buildings, despite their substantial contribution to UK energy use and emissions.

The association is urging policymakers to ensure commercial and public buildings are fully integrated into future decarbonisation strategies and funding mechanisms.

Jen Vickers, President of the Building Controls Industry Association, said:"The scale of investment and policy activity currently being directed towards decarbonisation demonstrates just how important buildings have become in the UK's net zero strategy.

"Across funding, regulation and performance standards, we are seeing a clear shift towards smarter, more efficient buildings that can demonstrate measurable outcomes. This creates significant opportunities for building controls, which play a critical role in reducing energy consumption, improving operational performance and supporting carbon reduction.

"If the UK is to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions, future policy frameworks must fully recognise the role of non-domestic buildings and the technologies, such as building controls, that can help unlock substantial energy and carbon savings."

The report highlights a strong growth outlook for the building controls sector in 2026, with regulation, rising energy costs and evolving funding models all expected to drive increased adoption. As policymakers place greater emphasis on building performance and operational outcomes, controls are becoming embedded as a core requirement.

At the same time, organisations are increasingly seeking technologies that can deliver measurable savings and a clear return on investment, positioning building controls as a key enabler of both commercial performance and net zero delivery. Rather than a specialist solution, controls are rapidly becoming essential infrastructure within the built environment.

View Policy Pulse here

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鶹ԭ Warns Non-Domestic Buildings Risk Being Overlooked Despite £40bn+ Decarbonisation Drive
UK Building Controls Market Sees Strong Start to 2026 with Revenues Rising to £234.8mRachael Zaidel LambMon, 01 Jun 2026 14:17:32 +0000/news/uk-building-controls-market-sees-strong-start-to-2026-with-revenues-rising-to-2348m659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a1d947c6d6a9d62f587bedeThe UK building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) market has entered 2026 with renewed momentum, according to the latest Market Information Report from the Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ).

The report shows total industry revenues for Products, Installed Systems and Service & Maintenance supplied into the UK market increased to £234.8 million during Q1 2026, representing a 13.2% rise compared with the previous quarter.

The uplift marks one of the strongest quarterly performances seen in recent periods, despite wider construction output across key sectors remaining relatively subdued.

Strong growth across installed systems

The strongest growth during the quarter came from Installed Systems and Installation Value Added activity, highlighting continued demand for engineering expertise, commissioning and integrated building controls solutions.

Installation Value Added increased by 18.3% during Q1 to £130.7 million, with particularly strong growth among Systems Installers and Others, where value added rose by 21.1% compared with the previous quarter.

The proportion of value added within installed systems also increased slightly to 78.0%, reinforcing the growing importance of specialist knowledge and technical expertise in delivering high-performing buildings.

Installed Systems revenues overall increased by 16.9% to £167.7 million during the quarter. System Installer activity rose by 18.2%, while distributor-sourced installations increased by 22.4%.

Product demand shows improving momentum

Product revenues also recorded strong growth during Q1, increasing by 14.8% to £44.7 million.

OEM sales performed particularly well, rising by 28.4%, while sales to System Installers increased by 12.3%. Distributor and Other channels also saw growth of 16.3% during the quarter.

Although the rolling-year Product total remains marginally lower than the previous year at £161.6 million, the latest quarterly figures suggest improving momentum across several routes to market.

Service and maintenance remains resilient

Service and Maintenance once again continued to provide a stable and resilient revenue stream for the sector.

Revenues increased by 2.3% during Q1 to £59.4 million, while the rolling-year figure rose by 12.3% to £230.5 million.

System Installers continued to account for the majority of Service and Maintenance activity, representing 84.1% of the market during the quarter.

The continued growth in service revenues reflects the increasing focus on long-term building performance, system optimisation and operational efficiency across commercial estates.

Positive outlook for the year ahead

Overall, the Q1 2026 data suggests the UK Controls and BEMS market has entered the year in a positive position, with stronger installation activity, resilient Service and Maintenance revenues and improving Product demand all contributing to a strong quarter.

Jen Vickers, President of the Building Controls Industry Association, said:

“The latest figures demonstrate a very encouraging start to 2026 for the building controls sector. Despite wider construction activity remaining relatively subdued, the controls and BEMS market has delivered strong quarterly growth, particularly across installed systems and engineering activity.

What this highlights is the growing recognition of the important role building controls play in improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and supporting smarter, more sustainable buildings.

The continued resilience in Service and Maintenance activity is also significant, as building owners and operators increasingly focus on optimising existing assets and improving long-term building performance. As the industry continues to evolve, building controls will remain central to helping the built environment meet both operational and net zero objectives.”

The 鶹ԭ publishes its Market Information Report quarterly, providing detailed data on trends, revenues and growth opportunities across the BEMS sector.

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UK Building Controls Market Sees Strong Start to 2026 with Revenues Rising to £234.8m
President’s Blog: 鶹ԭ Members’ Conference and Awards: Celebrating Excellence and the Future of BEMS Rachael Zaidel LambWed, 20 May 2026 08:08:32 +0000/news/presidents-blog-bcia-members-conference-and-awards-celebrating-excellence-and-the-future-of-bems659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:6a0d6c00f5a6ab2607d49797Some events do more than bring people together. They create a moment to reflect on where an industry stands, what it has achieved and what it must focus on next.

The 鶹ԭ Awards 2026, AGM and Members’ Conference did exactly that. Across one day and evening, we saw the strength, ambition and expertise that exist across the BEMS sector. We heard important discussions about building performance, valuation, skills and visibility, and celebrated the people and organisations raising standards across the building controls industry.

As 鶹ԭ marks its 35th anniversary, this felt particularly significant. It was not only an opportunity to reflect on how far the industry has come, but also to recognise the momentum we are building and the responsibility we share in shaping what comes next.

A day of insight, discussion and industry value

The 鶹ԭ AGM and Members’ Conference explored many of the themes now central to our sector: building performance, commercial value, skills, apprenticeships, visibility and collaboration.

At the heart of these was a common question: how do we ensure building controls are properly understood, valued and applied?

Building controls and commercial value

The day started with a keynote from Nick Taylor of Building Atlas. His presentation, Green Premium or Green Blind Spot? BEMS, BACS and the Missing Link in Property Valuation, explored an issue that deserves far greater attention.

Despite the clear contribution building controls make to energy performance, efficiency and long-term asset value, they are still too often overlooked in property valuation.

One of his most powerful observations was that “technical value and priced value are not the same.” It was a simple but important reminder that while our industry clearly understands the operational value of controls, that value is not always translating into financial decision-making at asset level.

Nick also challenged the industry to think differently about the role of controls in the future. Rather than being viewed purely as a building services package, controls are increasingly becoming part of the financial infrastructure of buildings because they directly influence income, risk, compliance confidence, operational resilience and future investment decisions.

His point that “the controls industry does not have a relevance problem, it has a translation problem” resonated strongly with many in the room. Too often, detailed operational data and measurable outcomes are lost as information moves through the chain from FM teams and energy reporting through to investment committees, lenders and valuers.

Importantly, the session was not simply about identifying the challenge. Nick also highlighted three areas he believes could change the game for the sector:

  • making performance data portable and accessible

  • packaging measured outcomes over time

  • getting controls upstream of capital planning and investment decisions

Invisible technology, visible impact

This theme continued in the panel discussion Invisible Technology, Visible Failures: Why We Keep Undervaluing Building Controls, chaired by Oli Barker, 鶹ԭ Management Committee Member and of Llloret.

The discussion reflected a challenge many of us recognise: building controls are often only noticed when something goes wrong, despite underpinning comfort, efficiency, operational performance and increasingly, net zero strategies.

Panellists discussed how value engineering, late-stage cost cutting and limited operational understanding can undermine building performance long after handover. There was also strong agreement that controls expertise must be brought into projects earlier, rather than being treated as an afterthought once key design decisions have already been made.

Another important point raised throughout the session was the need for simplicity, usability and ongoing optimisation. Even well-designed systems can fail to deliver value if operators do not have the time, training or support to manage them effectively after handover.

What came through strongly was that our industry must continue to explain not just what BEMS do, but what they enable: better-performing buildings, reduced energy waste, improved comfort and more informed decision-making.

Developing the next generation

For me, one of the most encouraging parts of the day was the focus on people.

The Young Engineers Interactive Roundtables brought fresh perspectives into the conversation and reinforced the importance of listening to those who will help shape the future of BEMS.

One message came through clearly: many talented young people simply do not know building controls exists as a career path until they are exposed to it directly.

Several young engineers spoke openly about discovering the sector almost by accident through careers fairs, placements, T-Level opportunities or conversations with employers. That underlines why visibility matters so much.

The session also demonstrated the growing value of the 鶹ԭ Young Engineers Network, which continues to create opportunities for networking, mentoring, technical development and peer support across the industry. The introduction of the new Ambassador Scheme was particularly well received, helping create visible role models within member companies and encouraging greater engagement from future talent.

The afternoon panel on The Talent Challenge – Skills, Apprenticeships and Upcoming Changes explored many of these issues further.

The discussion highlighted how quickly the sector is evolving, particularly as controls increasingly integrate with AI, APIs, renewable technologies, smart buildings and data-led optimisation. That means the skills required across the industry are evolving too.

Panellists discussed the growing importance of apprenticeships, T-Levels, industry placements and employer engagement in creating meaningful routes into the sector. There was strong recognition that education is moving in the right direction, but industry participation remains essential.

One particularly important message from the panel was that employers should focus as much on attitude, curiosity and willingness to learn as technical experience. Skills can be developed, but confidence, enthusiasm and engagement are equally important when building long-term talent pipelines.

As President, I remain committed to making building controls a career of choice. That means communicating the opportunity clearly, supporting employers practically and showing future talent that this is a sector with purpose, progression and long-term relevance.

鶹ԭ Awards 2026: recognising excellence across the sector

The evening’s 鶹ԭ Awards 2026 provided a fitting and well-deserved celebration of the people, projects and organisations driving our industry forward.

The awards recognise the individuals, teams and businesses delivering excellence across the sector. Congratulations to this year’s winners, who truly reflect the depth, innovation and commitment across the 鶹ԭ community:

  • Building Controls and BEMS Company of the Year – Linear Control Systems

  • Engineer of the Year – Jonathan Woolford, Schneider Electric

  • Young Engineer of the Year – George Stephens-Clark, InTandem Systems

  • Apprentice of the Year – William Sebatch, Schneider Electric

  • Energy Innovation and Impact Award – BMSI for the E60+ Energy Roll Out

  • Best Service and Maintenance Provider – Kendra Energy Solutions

  • Technical Innovation of the Year – Products – Cosysense for AI Building Automation

  • Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects – Lockheed Martin for Connected, Resilient, Intelligent: A New Era of Facilities

  • Sustainability Strategy Champion – The Francis Crick Institute

  • Contribution to Training Award – One Sightsolutions

  • Outstanding Contribution of the Year – Terry Sharp

Together, these winners demonstrate what best practice looks like in action, from innovation and project delivery through to training, service and long-term contribution to the industry.

The atmosphere on the night was a real reminder of the pride people take in their work and in the industry as a whole. Host Stephen Mulhern brought energy and humour to the evening, helping create a celebration that felt both professional and genuinely enjoyable.

Celebrating the 鶹ԭ community

Events like this do not happen without the support of the wider 鶹ԭ community, and the Members’ Conference gets bigger each year. I would like to thank our members, sponsors, speakers, panellists, manufacturers, attendees, finalists and winners for making the day and evening such a success. I would also like to thank the 鶹ԭ team for organising the Members’ Conference and Keystone, for once again organising another absolutely fantastic awards event in the evening.

The manufacturers’ area also played an important role, giving delegates the opportunity to explore new products, exchange ideas and discuss current market developments. These conversations matter because innovation in building controls is often driven by collaboration between manufacturers, integrators, consultants, contractors and end users.

This is one of 鶹ԭ’s strengths. We bring together different parts of the industry so that insight, experience and ambition can be shared. At a time when buildings are under increasing pressure to perform better, that collaboration is essential.

Looking ahead with confidence

The 鶹ԭ 35th anniversary gives us a valuable moment to reflect on how far the Association and the sector have come. Building controls have evolved from being seen by many as a specialist technical package to being recognised as central to how buildings operate, adapt and deliver value. That progress is significant, but there is still more to do.

We need greater visibility, stronger recognition of our role in building performance, and a continued focus on developing skills and supporting members. The voice of the building controls industry must be heard in wider conversations about energy, carbon, safety and the future of the built environment.

The 鶹ԭ Awards 2026, AGM and Members’ Conference showed that we have the knowledge, commitment and community to meet that challenge.

As we look ahead, my message is simple: let us continue to champion excellence, develop talent, support innovation and demonstrate the value of building controls in delivering better buildings for everyone.

We want to make sure our annual Members’ Conference delivers what our members want and so we appreciate any feedback from attendees to help us continually improve the event.

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President’s Blog: 鶹ԭ Members’ Conference and Awards: Celebrating Excellence and the Future of BEMS
 Winners Revealed at 鶹ԭ Awards 2026 as Industry Celebrates Outstanding AchievementsAwardsRachael Zaidel LambThu, 07 May 2026 13:46:59 +0000/news/winners-revealed-at-bcia-awards-2026-as-industry-celebrates-outstanding-achievements659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:69fc97d45f753d6857a21786- The Building Controls Industry Association (鶹ԭ) has revealed the winners of the 鶹ԭ Awards 2026, celebrating the very best in innovation, achievement and leadership across the building controls, automation and smart buildings sector.

Widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence, the 鶹ԭ Awards once again brought the industry together to recognise the outstanding individuals, teams and organisations driving progress across BEMS, smart buildings and building performance. This year’s winners represent a truly impressive showcase of talent, innovation and dedication across the sector.

From cutting-edge technical innovation and exceptional project delivery to service excellence and skills development, the 2026 winners highlight the strength and vibrancy of the industry. Their achievements underline the vital role building controls play in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the built environment, including energy efficiency, carbon reduction and operational resilience.

2026 鶹ԭ Award winners

  • Building Controls and BEMS Company of the Year – Linear Control Systems

  • Engineer of the Year – Jonathan Woolford, Schneider Electric

  • Young Engineer of the Year – George Stephens-Clark, InTandem Systems

  • Apprentice of the Year – William Sebatch, Schneider Electric

  • Energy Innovation and Impact Award – BMSI, E60+ Energy Roll Out

  • Best Service and Maintenance Provider – Kendra Energy Solutions

  • Technical Innovation of the Year – Products – Cosysense, AI Building Automation

  • Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects – Lockheed Martin, Connected, Resilient, Intelligent: A New Era of Facilities

  • Sustainability Strategy Champion – The Francis Crick Institute

  • Contribution to Training Award – One Sightsolutions

  • Outstanding Contribution of the Year – Terry Sharp

The glittering awards ceremony, was held yesterday evening at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham and hosted by TV presenter and magician Stephen Mulhern, the Awards brought together more than 600 industry leaders, innovators and emerging talent to celebrate the achievements shaping the future of building performance. The 2026 Awards held particular significance as the Association marks its 35th anniversary, reflecting both the progress made and the growing importance of building controls in delivering high-performing, energy-efficient and safe buildings.

Jen Vickers, President of the 鶹ԭ, said: “The 鶹ԭ Awards continue to showcase the very best of our sector, and this year’s winners are a clear demonstration of the innovation, expertise and commitment that exists across the industry. From technical excellence and project delivery to skills development and sustainability, these achievements highlight the vital role building controls play in delivering high-performing, energy-efficient buildings.

“Congratulations to all of our winners; your work is helping to drive progress across the sector and shape the future of the built environment.”

Commenting on the Outstanding Contribution Award, Jen said: “Terry’s contribution to the building controls industry has been both significant and long-standing. Through his dedication, leadership and commitment to advancing our sector, he has played an important role in shaping the industry we see today. The award is fitting recognition and on behalf of the 鶹ԭ I would like to thank Terry for his continued support and contribution.”

Alongside technical achievement, the prestigious 鶹ԭ Awards continue to highlight the importance of people within the sector. Categories recognising engineers, apprentices and emerging talent underline the industry’s focus on strengthening the skills pipeline and ensuring building controls remains a future-facing and attractive career path.

William Sebatch won this year’s Young Engineer of the Year. Reacting to his win, he said: “It’s great to be recognised by professionals within the industry and it’s a fantastic feeling to have won this award.” William, who is a Digital Power Technical Apprentice at Schneider Electric, added: “I’m very thankful to have been chosen for the award. I’d also like to congratulate the other finalists in this category, I know it must have been a tough decision for the judges as they are all worthy winners.”

As buildings become increasingly complex and expectations around performance continue to rise, the need for skilled professionals capable of designing, implementing and optimising building systems has never been greater.

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 Winners Revealed at 鶹ԭ Awards 2026 as Industry Celebrates Outstanding Achievements
President’s Blog: Changing the Conversation: How We Attract the Next Generation into Building ControlsRachael Zaidel LambTue, 21 Apr 2026 10:55:23 +0000/news/presidents-blog-changing-the-conversation-how-we-attract-the-next-generation-into-building-controls659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:69e7579be9f7713d2edc964cOne of the most consistent challenges facing our industry is also one of the most important: attracting new people into the building energy management systems (BEMS) sector.

It is something I have spoken about before, and it will remain a central focus throughout my presidency. While we have made genuine progress in strengthening training pathways and building a pipeline of new talent, we are still facing a fundamental issue.

Quite simply, not enough people know who we are, what we do, or why it matters.

From my own experience speaking to students, employers and those outside the sector, I believe there is another layer to that challenge. It is not just about visibility - it is about how we explain ourselves when we are seen.

More Than Awareness: A Communication Challenge

Over the past few years, we have invested significant effort into creating structured routes into the industry. Apprenticeships are growing, T-Level placements are gaining traction, and more employers are engaging with training initiatives than ever before. That is real progress, and it is something we should be proud of.

However, when I speak to students, career changers or even professionals already working in the built environment, the same pattern continues to emerge – many have never heard of building controls, and those who have often only have a partial understanding of what it involves.

Yet, when we take the time to properly explain the role, the response is almost always positive. I have seen this first-hand on multiple occasions. People quickly see the relevance, the variety and the long-term potential. They begin to understand that this is not a narrow technical specialism, but a career that sits at the centre of how modern buildings perform.

That shift in perception is powerful. It tells us that the issue is not a lack of opportunity or appeal; it is how we are communicating what we do.

Under my presidency, improving that communication is a key objective.

Speaking in a Way People Understand

As an industry, we are naturally comfortable talking in technical terms. We talk about systems, integration, control strategies and optimisation. These are all essential parts of our work, and they matter – but they are not always the most effective way to engage someone who is new to the sector.

If someone has never encountered BEMS before, those terms can feel abstract and, at times, inaccessible. It is something I have become increasingly aware of in conversations outside of our immediate industry.

We need to shift the way we frame the conversation.

Instead of starting with the technology, we should start with the impact. We should be explaining that building controls:

• Reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in real, measurable ways.

• Improve comfort, wellbeing and productivity for building occupants.

• Enable buildings to operate more intelligently through data and insight.

• Support organisations in meeting sustainability and compliance targets.

These are outcomes that people can relate to. They provide a sense of purpose and a clear connection to wider societal goals.

For many people, particularly younger generations, that sense of purpose is a major driver in career choice. That is something I feel we should be leaning into much more.

Positioning BEMS as a Future-Facing Career

One of the things I am particularly passionate about during my presidency is ensuring that building controls is recognised for what it truly is: a future-facing career.

This is not an industry rooted in legacy thinking. It is an industry that is evolving rapidly, shaped by digitalisation, data, sustainability and changing expectations around building performance.

When we talk about BEMS in the right way, we are talking about:

• Sustainability careers, where individuals can directly contribute to reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

• Technology careers, involving software, integration, smart systems and digital infrastructure.

• Data-driven roles, where analysis and insight are central to optimising performance.

• Engineering pathways, grounded in practical application and problem-solving.

This breadth is one of our greatest strengths, but too often, it is not clearly articulated.

We need to move away from presenting building controls as a niche discipline, and instead position it as a dynamic, multi-disciplinary career with real progression opportunities.

It is, after all, one of the most compelling career propositions in the built environment today.

The Role of Industry in Shaping Perception

Changing this narrative is not something that can be done by one organisation alone. It requires a collective effort across the industry.

Employers, educators and industry bodies all have a role to play in ensuring that the message is consistent, accessible and engaging.

That includes:

• How we describe roles in job adverts.

• How we engage with schools, colleges and universities.

• How we present the industry at careers events and open days.

• How we use real-world examples to bring the roles to life.

We also need to continue building on the progress already made through apprenticeships and T-Level placements, ensuring that once people enter the industry, they can clearly see where their career can take them.

Attracting talent is only part of the challenge; retaining and developing that talent is equally important.

From Awareness to Advocacy

Encouragingly, when people do enter the sector, they often become its strongest advocates.

I see this particularly through initiatives like the Young Engineers Network, where early-career professionals are not only developing their skills but actively championing the industry to others.

They see first-hand the impact of their work. They understand the value of what they do and they recognise the opportunities available to them.

Our challenge is to reach that point sooner.

If we can improve how we explain building controls, we can move from a position of low awareness to one of genuine interest. Over time, that interest can translate into a stronger, more sustainable pipeline of talent.

Looking Ahead

As an Association, raising awareness of building controls as a career of choice remains a strategic priority for 鶹ԭ, as we understand how important this is to our members. Awareness alone, however, is not enough.

We need to ensure that when we do have the opportunity to engage with potential future talent, we are telling the right story.

Our communication needs to reflect the true breadth of the industry, connect with people’s interests and ambitions and demonstrate the real-world impact of what we do. It’s about being able to communicate the value of our industry and making sure others can see that value just as clearly.

Building controls is not just about systems. It is about performance, sustainability and net zero, people and the future of our built environment with increasingly smart buildings - and that is a message worth sharing.

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President’s Blog: Changing the Conversation: How We Attract the Next Generation into Building Controls
Competency, Culture and Compliance: The Big Themes from the Latest CEO NetworkBlogRachael Zaidel LambWed, 15 Apr 2026 09:05:14 +0000/news/competency-culture-and-compliance-the-big-themes-from-the-latest-ceo-network659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:69de21116535725917e1dd68March marked the first CEO Network meeting of 2026 and the third since the Network was established. The CEO Network provides a dedicated forum for senior leaders in the BEMS industry to explore the key issues shaping the growth of the sector, their organisations, and their workforce.

A central focus of the discussion was one of the industry’s most significant barriers to growth: people. The ongoing shortage of BEMS professionals continues to make it challenging to attract individuals with the right skills. Employers need confidence that new recruits bring not only the required knowledge but also strong technical capability across disciplines such as design, installation, commissioning, software, and graphics.

Sector skills cards remain a primary means of verifying competency, placing increased importance on robust competency assessments and revalidation. Members discussed the value of competency from the individual’s perspective, noting that employers are often the ones who fund the necessary training, absorb the cost of off‑the‑job learning, and ultimately pay for a card that the individual retains if they move on. While this investment is recognised as part of normal workforce development, members also highlighted that company culture, working environment, and employee benefits are essential for retaining staff in a market where demand far outstrips supply.

The group also emphasised the need for competency processes that support—not disadvantage—older workers. Ensuring that experienced professionals are not driven into early retirement because competency requirements are unnecessarily difficult is crucial for preserving industry knowledge and capability.

The Network went on to discuss the Building Safety Act, where competency is a core element. Knowledge of the Act and its relevance to BEMS was first explored at the October CEO meeting, after which the 鶹ԭ introduced a series of free introductory BSA training sessions for members. This support will be expanded over the summer with BEMS‑specific workshops, dedicated guidance for members, and a Q&A event currently in development.

The third major area of discussion focused on the BEMS Delivery Framework, which is currently under development. Members debated the practicalities of the Framework and agreed on its purpose and value in helping to bridge the knowledge gap between specification, delivery, and system outcomes versus client objectives.

The CEO Network meets twice a year, the next will take place in central Manchester on 16th September from 11.00am – 14.00pm. The Network is exclusively for CEO’s, MD’s and C-Suite executives.  You can .

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Competency, Culture and Compliance: The Big Themes from the Latest CEO Network
Building Safety Act: Raising the bar for competence in building controlsblogRachael Zaidel LambTue, 14 Apr 2026 11:17:24 +0000/news/building-safety-act-raising-the-bar-for-competence-in-building-controls659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:659d8219d781b9569b0d1ce6:69de224483eab6239cab3208The Building Safety Act 2022 marked a defining shift in how the built environment approaches safety, accountability and performance. While key elements of the new regime, including duty holder responsibilities and gateway approvals, have been in force since October 2023, the industry is now approaching a critical milestone.

The transitional period for projects already underway is due to end on 6 April 2026, after which all applicable developments will be required to fully comply. This moves the industry from a period of adjustment into full implementation.

While much of the focus has been on fire and structural safety, the implications for the building controls sector are significant. For BEMS, BMS and BACS specialists, the Act introduces new expectations around competence, data, coordination and compliance.

At the Building Controls Industry Association, this shift is not only recognised, but is informing a co-ordinated industry response.

 Competence moves centre stage

The 鶹ԭ has been tasked with being the responsible organisation for the building controls and automation sub-sector, including developing a sector-specific competence framework.

This comes at a time when competence must be clearly defined, evidenced and maintained.

“There is now a significant focus on competency and, importantly, the demonstration of that competency. It’s no longer enough to assume capability - it has to be evidenced at multiple stages of a project,” says Andy Thorn, 鶹ԭ Management Committee Member who brings more than 30 years’ experience in the BEMS industry.

Following industry consultation, 鶹ԭ is progressing work on how competency should be demonstrated and revalidated in practice, aligning building controls with other recognised professions. As the transitional period ends, this requirement will become increasingly visible across regulated projects.

 A changing regulatory landscape

The impact of the Act is most evident through the Higher Risk Building (HRB) regime and gateway approvals.

“The Higher Risk Building regime will impact members working on larger projects,” Andy notes. “It brings additional layers of oversight that our sector needs to understand and plan for.”

The introduction of duty holder roles also brings new responsibilities, particularly around design coordination and accountability. “The Principal Designer role carries a lot of responsibility on controls-dominant projects, which could sit with one of our members, and the implications are significant.”

As projects move beyond transitional arrangements, clarity around roles, responsibilities and interfaces will be essential.

Building controls and life safety

The Act is a direct response to the Grenfell Tower fire and is fundamentally focused on life safety. While building controls may not always be the primary safety system, their role is growing as systems become more integrated.

“Our industry isn’t as directly impacted as fire or lifts, but Building Management Systems (BMS) can be central to many integrated systems such as smoke control,” Andy says. “Members need to be aware of the additional compliance and coordination required.”

This places building controls more firmly within the wider safety ecosystem, with greater expectations around system performance and integration.

 Data, evidence and the golden thread

The requirement for a golden thread of information is one of the most significant changes introduced by the Act and, for building controls, this is a key strength.

As Andy explains; “Data will be critical. The BMS will have information logged from inception, and members may be involved in providing that data during sign-off to support compliance with the regulator.”

As full compliance approaches, this data will play a central role in evidencing performance, testing and ongoing compliance, reinforcing the value of BEMS across the building lifecycle.

 Gateways, timelines and uncertainty

Gateway approvals, aligned broadly with Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages, are already impacting project delivery, but there remains uncertainty around how they operate in practice.

“There is still a lot of confusion around how the gateway stages work in practice”, reflects Andy. “The current JCT contract doesn’t align with Gateway 2, which can take up to 18 weeks to sign off. Gateway 3 also raises questions around inspections and testing. Greater clarity is needed on what inspections will involve in practice, particularly given that buildings cannot be occupied or pre-let before final sign-off, with potential delays and additional costs becoming a growing concern.”

The role of the Building Safety Regulator continues to evolve, and as transitional arrangements fall away, consistency in interpretation will become increasingly important.

Time, cost and the road ahead

The Act introduces additional time, cost and process requirements across projects.

“Time and cost will increase, that’s inevitable. And if it leads to safer buildings, that’s the right outcome,” Andy says, “But more clarity is needed to avoid inconsistencies, particularly during tender stages.”

For building controls companies, this means adapting both technically and commercially, with a sharper focus on defined scope, compliance and coordination.

Supporting members through change

鶹ԭ has been delivering targeted workshops for the building controls sector, with strong engagement from members seeking clarity on how the Act applies in practice.

Led by Building Safety Act expert John Joyce, these sessions focus on real-world application, covering:

  • Duty holder roles and responsibilities

  • Gateway processes and submissions

  • Golden thread requirements

  • Competency expectations

Our sector needs to be able to demonstrate competence at every stage of the process,” Andy says. “These workshops are an important step in helping members understand what that looks like in practice.”

With the end of the transitional period approaching, the focus is now firmly on readiness.

Whether you are already involved in Higher Risk Buildings or preparing for future projects, 鶹ԭ will be delivering future workshops to help members build confidence, strengthen understanding and ensure your organisation is aligned with the new regulatory landscape.

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Building Safety Act: Raising the bar for competence in building controls