New Engineering Services Alliance Launches

• Content
• News
• New Engineering Services Alliance Launches

10 February 2021

A new alliance for the multi-billion UK engineering services sector has launched today via a virtual industry event. 

Actuate UK is an alliance of eight leading trade, technology, research and professional bodies in engineering services. It will deliver a single, consolidated voice for the sector.

The group will lead the sector’s response to the Building Safety agenda and post-COVID green recovery, providing direction and championing the wider culture changes needed in the industry for their successful delivery. 

“Engineering services make a building work, they bring it to life. And where ninety per cent of people spend ninety per cent of their time in a building, it is crucial for the economy and the physical and mental health of our citizens that buildings are safe and work properly.”

–David Frise

CEO, BESA

A Safer, More Productive and Sustainable UK Built Environment

The UK engineering services sector comprises over 60,000 firms and over 350,000 skilled professionals, employees and contractors. It is made up of some 40 per cent of UK construction by value, with tens of billions of pounds of additional turnover annually, providing ongoing infrastructure and facilities services.

Together with others in the industry, the UK government and the Devolved Nations, Actuate UK will play a key role by supporting essential national initiatives.  Initiatives such as the Construction Leadership Council’s Recovery Roadmap, the Construction Playbook and strategic economic plans in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Building Safety reform and the drive for Zero Net Carbon.

Andy Mitchell CBE, co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council and CEO of Thames Tideway Tunnel, said: “Our industry has seen a lot of change over this past year, and the most positive change is the way that it has come together in dealing with the pandemic. Through the efforts of many in the industry, the Construction Leadership Council has achieved a lot that deals with the here and now, and whilst this isn’t over yet we can, and are turning our attentions to the future – one that is better, stronger and very ambitious with regard to what society needs of us. 

“This means safer buildings and net-zero target - two big issues that we have to get on top of - and it is clear that the engineering services sector has a big role to play in both of these. I very much look forward to the vital role that Actuate UK can and must play in moving this industry forward.” 

BESA and CIBSE

Actuate UK consists of:

• The Building Engineering and Services Association (BESA)
• The Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA)
• The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
• ECA - Electrical and Engineering Services
• The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA)
• The Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)
• SELECT – the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland
• The Scottish and NI Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF)

The eight organisations bring a broad range of technical, practical and commercial expertise to focus on four strategically important themes – skills, building safety, carbon reduction and commercial issues in 2021.

David Frise CEO of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) commented: “Engineering services make a building work, they bring it to life. And where ninety per cent of people spend ninety per cent of their time in a building, it is crucial for the economy and the physical and mental health of our citizens that buildings are safe and work properly.”

Picture: a photograph of a person in a hi-vis jacket and protective hat, helping a large piece of machinery to be lowered

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 10 February 2021

Share

Related Articles