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BCIA Awards 2026 - Finalists Announced!
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is delighted to announce the finalists for the BCIA Awards 2026, celebrating excellence, innovation and leadership across the building controls and BEMS sector.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to enter the Awards. Following another year of exceptional entries, the judging panel faced the challenging task of selecting this year’s shortlist. The breadth and quality of submissions once again reflect the strength, technical expertise and commitment that exist throughout the building controls community. Winners will be revealed at the BCIA Awards ceremony and dinner, taking place at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 7 May 2026.
The shortlisted finalists are:
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Building Controls and BEMS Company of the Year 1 Control Systems
Matt Chivers, E.ON Control Solutions
Neisha Barnsley, E.ON Control Solutions
Karl Phan BEng (Hons), Organon Pharmaceutical |
Energy Innovation and Impact Award 3mse, Boiler Strategy Modifications for CBRE & Savills 3mse Bubll Automation, Sentinll AI Consultant
andOr Systems, Blue Fin Building AHU Decarbonisation
3mse Announced on the night |
Now is the perfect time to book a table and secure your place at the most prestigious awards ceremony in the building automation sector.
To find out more about the Awards and book your table, visit: https://www.bcia.co.uk/bcia-awards-2026
Market performance indicates encouraging signs for future of BEMS sector
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Highlighting an increased desire from property developers, architects and designers to decarbonise the UK’s building stock through the specification and implementation of building controls and automation, the building energy management systems (BEMS) market showed steady progress in Q3 – rising 2.6% compared to the previous quarter.
While the wider construction industry saw its performance hampered by rising material costs and ongoing skilled labour shortages, the BEMS sector saw its total revenues rise to £210.1 million, according to the Building Controls Industry Association’s (BCIA) latest market report.
BCIA President, Stacey Lucas, suggested the growth of the BEMS market was indicative of the built environment acknowledging the need to reduce carbon footprints. She said: “The construction industry has faced a challenging 2025 but it’s pleasing to see that the BEMS sector is remaining resilient and showing promising signs for the future.
“As more building owners strive to decarbonise their buildings and meet their sustainability targets, we remain confident that the BEMS sector will increasingly gain prominence.”
Analysing the data in great detail, the BCIA’s Market Intelligence Report – released every quarter– breaks down the BEMS market into three key areas; product, installation value added, and service and maintenance.
Product revenue held relatively firm in Q3, sitting at £38.8 million, with most routes to market recording growth during the three-month period. In fact, manufacturer’s own systems saw a substantial uplift of 8.3%, while distributor and other channels rose by 7.4% and sales to system installers also saw an increase of 2.1%.
OEM activity did see a drop in the third quarter of 2025. However, this remains one of the smaller routes within the Product category. The overall rolling-year total for product stood at £162.1 million – a marginal decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous 12 months.
Installation Value Added delivered a stronger quarter compared to the previous period. Manufacturers and Systems Installers contributed most to the 2.2% rise to £112.9 million, with value added up 3.4% and 2% respectively. While the rolling-year position revealed a 4.1% decline to £455.8 million, the performance in Q3 suggests activity in this area is beginning to stabilise and improve. In fact, the proportion of value-added work within total installed systems remains high at 76.9%.
Service and maintenance followed the strong performances of the other two categories, remaining one of the most resilient parts of the BEMS market. Revenues rose by an encouraging 6.2% to £58.2 million, while Manufacturers had an uplift of 0.6% and System Installers jumped up 7.2% in the quarter. The rolling-year total saw a very slight drop of 0.1% to £215.8 million.
Installed Systems revenue also grew to £146.9 million, seeing an increase of 2.5% compared to the previous quarter. Manufacturer-delivered installations and System Installers also rose by 4% and 1.1% respectively, along with an uplift in distributor-sourced activity. Market share movements also remained modest, with manufacturers increasing to 14.5%, System Installers at 65% and Unspecified at 20.4%. Showing improved quarterly momentum, the rolling-year total for Installed Systems stood at £591.6 million.
Stacey continued: “The BEMS market is showing encouraging signs of growth – despite the ongoing challenges the construction industry is facing. With the UK’s net zero target of 2050 ever-approaching, the BCIA will continue to work with industry leaders and policy makers to not only support its members but also increase awareness both inside and outside the built environment of the important role building controls and automation can play.”
As the BCIA’s latest report indicates, demand for building controls and automation has been heightened by the need for building owners and facility managers to reduce their carbon footprints while creating smarter buildings.
Produced and provided exclusively to BCIA members every quarter, the MIR offers comprehensive insights into market trends and growth across the BEMS sector and a detailed understanding of the market. As a result, it is a hugely useful and informative resource with members able to recognise potential growth opportunities, navigate challenges with more confidence and knowledge and track developments.
BCIA Strengthens Management Committee with New Appointments
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has added exceptional experience to its Management Committee as it continues to lead the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) sector towards a more sustainable future. The committee brings together professionals with diverse expertise, strategic insight, and technical excellence to drive progress across the industry.
In a strong year for Management Committee nominations, Andy Thorn, Managing Director at Synapsys Solutions and Oli Barker, Engineering Director at Lloret, join the committee, while Graeme Rees, Global EcoXpert Leader - Building Automation & Security at Schneider Electric, has been re-elected for a further three-year term.
Andy Thorn joins the committee with more than 30 years in the BEMS industry, having held roles at Trend, Honeywell, and now Synapsys, where he became Managing Director in 2023. A long-time BCIA member, Andy values the association’s role in bringing competitors together to share knowledge and best practice.
Andy said, “This collaborative environment is vital to our industry’s continued growth, by joining the committee I want to help the BCIA keep training young people, lobbying for better legislation, and raising awareness of the important work our sector does. To help close the skills gap in our sector, I want to raise the profile of what the industry does and get both parents and young people engaged and interested early.”
The second new committee member, Oli Barker, brings 18 years of experience in the controls industry. At Lloret, he leads the engineering department and has expanded BMS delivery with new MSI and ICT divisions to offer fully integrated solutions. He is dedicated to improving building performance through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable outcomes.
Oli said, “I am thrilled to be joining the committee. I want to strengthen the BCIA’s position as the leading voice in system integration and digital practice while helping to develop skills pathways for new engineers. I really can’t wait to get going!”
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Graeme Rees commented, “I’m deeply grateful to the membership for trusting me with their vote to serve another term. It’s been an honour to contribute to the BCIA leadership team and help strengthen its foundation and professionalism. Looking ahead, I’m committed to driving greater recognition for our industry, showcasing its vital role in energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and smarter buildings.”
Committee Members take up their roles from 1st January 2026 for a term of three years.
2026 will also see changes to the Presidential leadership team with Jen Vickers of Crown House Technologies succeeding as President and Ron Purcell of Siemens appointed as Vice President. Stacey Lucas completes her term as President and will move to Immediate Past President. All of the Presidential leadership terms commence on 1st March.
All appointments will take effect in March 2026, when Jen Vickers becomes President and Stacey Lucas assumes the role of Immediate Past President.
The BCIA extends its sincere thanks to outgoing committee members Clare Grams of Westminster Controls and Jason Harper of Integrated BMS for their years of dedication, expertise, and outstanding contributions to the association.
Five Revealing Statistics from the BCIA’s Latest Technical White Paper
A tremendous effort from all involved, this comprehensive look at the vital need to improve energy consumption, building performance and occupant health and comfort comes at a vital time – with rising average global temperatures and the UK’s net zero target of 2050 ever-approaching.
Drawing on in-use performance data and utilising economic modelling, the white paper revealed some fascinating insights into the impact BEMS can have on carbon emissions, building energy use and costs. In fact, it highlighted five fascinating statistics when it comes to the air quality challenges facing schools and the vital role building controls can have in enhancing pupil comfort, productivity and health.
1. Average ventilation rate of schools across the UK was 5.3 I/s per person
With ventilation a vital aspect of building design due to indoor CO2 concentrations, the importance of enhancing the ventilation rate in schools across the UK cannot be understated. Research discussed in the whitepaper revealed the average ventilation rate of schools in the UK was around 5.3 L/s per person.
Despite this average, there are many classrooms across the UK that fall short of the recommended guidelines, which state a minimum of 5 L/s per person.
This therefore increases the likelihood of higher indoor CO2 concentrations causing negative productivity and health outcomes. Advanced building controls, however, can provide the required solution – measuring CO2 concentrations and adjusting ventilation accordingly.
In fact, evidence suggests improving ventilation and maintaining a comfortable temperature in this way can improve academic outcomes and lower student sickness absences.
2. Recent illness rates equated to 88 million absence sessions
With low ventilation rates meaning pupils are more likely to fall ill with diseases and illnesses transmitted in the air and then be absent from school for a short period, it is perhaps no surprise to discover the most recent illness rates recorded in English state primary and secondary schools were 3.06% and 3.87% respectively.
This equates to around 88 million absence sessions – either a morning or an afternoon.
The specification and installation of effective ventilation systems, made cost and energy efficient by building energy management systems (BEMS), could effectively replace air in classrooms based on demand.
Consequently, this would lower the likelihood of the transmission of airborne illnesses and diseases. This was supported by an empirical study of schools, which found that for every L/s per person increase in ventilation rate, illness absence rates decreased by between 1.4% and 1.8%.
3. Absences could be reduced by 16-20 million sessions per year
The white paper estimated that with Class A BEMS installed, a classroom would be expected to achieve optimal indoor air temperature and CO2 concentration levels. This would be in no small part down to the BEMS’ CO2 sensors having greater responsiveness to indoor air quality changes and the ability to maintain a steady level of CO2.
As a result, student attendance and academic performance would be enhanced.
So, by utilising building controls and automation to increase the effective ventilation rate from 5.3 L/s per person to 19.3 L/s per person, absences in UK state schools and primary schools could be decreased by 16-20 million sessions per year.
4. The UK economy could be boosted by up to £709 million
In addition to enhancing the productivity of pupils, reducing the number of school absences due to illness would have a substantial effect on parents and guardians, too.
With parents or guardians having to take time away from work to collect and then take care of unwell children absent from school, they are ultimately less productive – incurring a significant cost to the economy.
Therefore, implementing BEMS to improve air quality and pupil health and wellbeing could provide the UK economy with a major cash boost.
The white paper’s economic modelling assumed a pupil has two parents or guardians and that an absence will incur a cost of the median daily salary when both are employed. Assuming that pupil illness absences only impact parents once per day, and that parental working times are affected for 30% of absence sessions for secondary school pupils, and 100% for primary school students, a benefit of up to £565-£709 million could be yielded for the UK economy.
5. An extra 522,000 pupils could have passed their national exams
White paper data suggested the installation of a Class A BEMS that maintained 900ppm CO2, compared to a Class C system maintaining 1500ppm CO2, would increase children’s performance from 97% at 1,500ppm to 100% at 900ppm.
Consequently, if Class A BEMS had been deployed in all classrooms across the UK, an additional 522,000 pupils could have passed their national exams in 2024.
This is equivalent to around 6% of all students. While a significant number, it’s perfectly achievable should those in charge of schools and other educational establishments across the UK focus their efforts on improving air quality and comfort in their premises.
BEMS has a crucial role to play in the UK’s decarbonisation and building performance efforts. However, there is still a lack of awareness when it comes to the energy consumption, health, productivity and wellbeing benefits it provides.
This technical white paper, and ongoing efforts by the BCIA to increase knowledge and understanding both inside and outside the industry, will hopefully go a long way towards enhancing that awareness and ensuring more comfortable, productive and healthy educational environments in the months and years to come.
2025 BCIA Award Winners Announced
In what were 10 hotly contested categories, the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) crowned its latest winners of its prestigious annual awards at an elegant dinner and ceremony at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 1st May.
This year’s event – hosted by TV magician/presenter Ben Hanlin - brought together industry leaders and key decision-makers to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and innovation across the building controls and automation sector.
Celebrating the teams, individuals, and innovators shaping the future of the industry, categories ranged from Engineer of the Year, to Outstanding Contribution of the Year, and Best Service & Maintenance Provider.
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BCIA Award winners: Building Controls and BEMS Installer of the Year Award – Crown House Technologies Engineer of the Year Award – Kim Spencer of Crown House Technologies Young Engineer of the Year Award – Zoe Dickson of SSE Energy Solutions – Smart Buildings Apprentice of the Year Award – Ricardo Miller of E.ON Control Solutions Energy Management Award – 3MSe Ltd, 52 Lime Street Based Demand Control Best Service and Maintenance Provider Award – SSE Energy Solutions – Smart Buildings (Imperial) Technical Innovation of the Year Award – Products – Passiv UK, Passiv Smart Thermostat (PST) Technical Innovation of the Year Award – Projects – Global Associates, Port of Dover Contribution to Training Award – Group Horizon (BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship) Outstanding Contribution Award – Ray Smith |
Acknowledging the incredible quality of nominees, BCIA President Stacey Lucas revealed the judging had been a real challenge – even more so than normal. She said: “It was yet again a superb evening. Every year it’s getting harder to choose the winners of the awards and 2025 was no exception."
“There were some outstanding nominees this year and it really highlights just how the building controls sector is driving innovation and sustainability in the built environment.”
Zoe Dickson, of SSE Energy Solutions, described her shock but immense pride at winning the Young Engineer of the Year award. She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon! There were so many other talented young industry professionals in this category, so it’s absolutely incredible to have been nominated, let alone to have won.
“It really shows the breadth of talent we have in this industry and underlines why this sector is going to be so crucial moving forward.”
About Us
The BCIA is a single voice, representing a growing and dynamic building controls and BEMS sector in the UK.
The overall aim of the BCIA is to promote better understanding, application and use of building controls. In order to achieve this the BCIA works with organisations and institutions such as BESA, ECA, CIBSE, BIFM, FETA and others to share knowledge and improve the performance of building automation. The Association is also committed to promote higher standards among membership through discounts on the BCIA’s suite of training courses and through the development of the approved BEMS Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard for our sector.
The BCIA also seeks to influence legislation such as Part L of the Building Regulations to ensure that the crucial role that controls play in energy efficient buildings is recognised at all levels; and increase market awareness among specifiers and end-users about the importance of good specification, design, installation and post-occupancy support.
The BCIA is run by its members under strong governance and appointment to the Management Committee is by election only. Members are encouraged to participate in the Marketing, Technical and Skills Working Groups which enable the BCIA to tackle particular issues and projects in a focused way. These groups are well supported and critical in delivering the strategy for change.
Aims & Objectives
The overall aim of the BCIA its to promote better understanding, application and use of building controls. In order to achieve this the BCIA works with other organisations and institutions such as BESA, ECA, CIBSE, BIFM, FETA and others to promote the interests of our members. The Association is also committed to promote higher standards among membership through discounts on the BCIA’s suite of six training courses and through the development of the Apprenticeship Standard for our sector.
The BCIA also aims to influence legislation such as Part L of the Building Regulations to ensure that the crucial role that controls play in energy efficient buildings is recognised at all levels; and increase market awareness among specifiers and end-users about the importance of good specification, design and installation.
History
The BCIA was formed in 2004, from a merger of two earlier long-standing groups. The Association is now part of the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) so that it has access to lobbying at European level, and the ability to discuss key issues with other parts of the construction sector.
The BCIA is run by its members, for its members and appointment to the Management Committee is by election. Members are however encouraged to participate in the Marketing, Technical and Skills Working Groups which enable the BCIA to tackle particular issues and projects in a focused way.
People
Rob Wood, Chair, BCIA, Skills Working Group
Graeme Rees, President, BCIA, Schneider Electric
Terry Sharp, Immediate Past President, BCIA, NDA Consulting
Stacey Lucas, Vice President, BCIA, Sontay
Catherine Walker, Executive Officer, BCIA
Richard Bush, Chair of the Technical Working Group, Priva UK
Keith Burnett, Chair of the Marketing Working Group, Schneider Electric
Wendy Belfield, Chair of the Skills Working Group, InTandem Systems
Jen Vickers, Document Engineer, Crown House Technologies
Ron Purcell, Jason Harper
