Conference Programme

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Structured around an overall theme of ‘Building Back Better, Safer, Greener’ the conference will have a strong focus on the detailed technical elements of rebuilding from the pandemic, delivering the requirements of the Hackitt safety reforms, modernising the sector’s workforce, and pushing on towards a net zero emissions future.

The conference will reflect the steep learning curve experienced by building engineering contractors during 2020 as they answered the call from essential services like hospitals, schools, and supermarkets for critical building services support.

This year that work continues as the industry contributes to the economic recovery by underpinning private and public sector rebuilding; low carbon retrofitting; infrastructure projects and the reopening of buildings following the pandemic.

THIS YEARS' KEY THEMES:

REBUILDING

Achieving sustainable economic recovery within the sector post Covid-19 pandemic.

SAFETY

Implementing a more robust competence and compliance culture.

CLIMATE CRISIS

How do we go about successfully delivering the net zero carbon challenge in our sector?

SKILLS

Attracting and upskilling a more diverse workforce suited to meet the challenges we face.

PROGRAMME AS FOLLOWS:

DAY 1

	Theatre 1	Theatre 2
09:30	Welcome from BESA's CEO, David Frise
09:40	Keynote: George Clarke TV personality and architect George Clarke. He is best known for the Channel 4 programmes The Home Show, The Restoration Man and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. Clarke will give an opening keynote and discuss a range of industry topics with BESA chief executive David Frise and delegates.
10:35	Construction Playbook – winning profitable public sector work The Playbook sets new mandatory standards for public sector projects and challenges contractors to set realistic prices. Fergus Harradence (BEIS) will join BESA’s David Frise to update the conference on how this is changing procurement and what contractors need to do to comply. Chair: David Frise, Chief Executive, BESA Panellist: Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director, Infrastructure & Construction, BEIS	Climate Change - it has already arrived The connection between hellacious weather and man-made climate change is becoming undeniable. Here's everything you need to know. Chair and speaker: TBA
11:10	TBC	Knowledge is King Chair and speaker: TBA
11:45	Upskilling for Net Zero How can employers prepare their workforces for the ‘green collar’ era where traditional skills evolve to take on the net zero challenge. It will examine what skills we need and how to deliver them. Chair: Neil Brackenridge, BESA President Panellists: Rab Fletcher, President Elect, Fife Council Rob Grant, Skills Development and Policy Manager, BESA Wyn Prichard, NPTC Group of Colleges, Director of Construction Skills and Strategy who will outline the current apprenticeship landscape	10 years of BIM - did the industry rise to the challenge? 10 years after the government set mandatory goals for the adoption of BIM as part of its construction strategy we will check on progress with former chief construction adviser Paul Morrell OBE and ask is it working and where do we go from here? Chair: David Frise, CEO, BESA Speaker: Paul Morrell OBE, Sole Principal at Paul Morrell Consulting
12:15	BREAK
13:00	How can heat networks achieve their full potential? HIU Group, Gareth Jones: Heat networks are central to the government’s decarbonisation of heat strategy, but the consumer experience has been patchy so far. This session will include the latest technical thinking including the shift towards lower temperature heating and emerging solutions to improve performance of networks and HIUs. Chair: Gareth Jones, Managing Director, Fairheat Panellists: Jan Hansen, Sales Director, SAV Systems LTD Phil Jones, Lead Author of CP1 2020 Chris Parsloe Author of CIBSE Design Guide: Heat networks (2021)	Transforming building safety culture Tim Galloway, HSE’s Deputy Director Building Safety Programme joins us to discuss the new regulatory regime and how it will work and how it will help to transform building safety culture. Tim will reflect on the theme of competence and compliance and explain what best practice looks like for BESA as an industry body and our members. Chair: David Frise, CEO, BESA Speaker: Tim Galloway, HSE’s Deputy Director Building Safety Programme
13:35	The ‘new normal’ economy CBI will update the conference on the latest economic situation and highlight the opportunities and barriers that await firms seeking to rebuild in the wake of the pandemic. Chair: David Frise, Chief Executive, BESA Speaker: Anna Leech, Deputy Chief Economist, CBI	A digital vision for the built environment Our Vision is for a built environment whose explicit purpose is to enable people and nature to flourish together for generations. This Vision is not about predicting the future for the built environment. It is about describing the future we want. Making better decisions now will create a better future. Chair: David Frise, CEO, BESA Speaker: Mark Enzer, Head of the National Digital Twin Programme, CDBB and Mott MacDonald
14:10	Fire dampers : hidden life savers Fire and smoke dampers are frontline fire safety products, but are regularly forgotten and ignored. This panel will look at how building managers are waking up to their responsibilities and driving a potentially massive market for professional damper testing and maintenance. Chair: George Friend, CEO. Ventilation Surveys and Services Limited Panellists: Peter Rogers, Technical Consultant, BESA Richard Norman, Managing Director, Indepth Hygiene Services Howard Passey, Director of Operations and Principal Consultant, The FPA	Heat pumps, alternative refrigerants and other opportunities The f-gas regulation continues to change the way we work and with it being currently under review again this session will explore what is on the table for discussion and what changes we can expect to see coming from the review both in the UK and Europe. Chair: Graeme Fox, Head of Technical, BESA Panellists: TBA
14:40	BREAK
15:00	The Cold Chain and its critical role in the modern world The worldwide roll out of Covid-19 vaccines is just one example of how the refrigeration and air conditioning industry supports vital day-to-day services. This session will look at how new technologies and skills are supporting our global society and why we need to shout more loudly about these achievements. Chair: Graeme Fox, Head of Technical, BESA Panellist: Steve Gill, World Refrigeration Day	Building safety Chair and speaker: TBA
15:35	Delivering net zero – can it be done? In this session a group of experts drawn from across the engineering supply chain will look at the major challenges and solutions needed to make net zero a realistic possibility by 2050 and not just a political pipedream. Chair: Scott Mason, Southern Regional Sales Manager & Central London Specification at Lochinvar Ltd Panellists: Joshua Emerson, Marketing Manager, Swegon Jeff House, Head of External Affairs, BAXI Martin Fahey, Head Of Sustainability, Mitsubishi Will Pitt BEng (Hons) CEng FCIBSE, Technical Leader – MEICA Systems, Laing O’Rourke Europe	Water Management Guide Water leaks in buildings are expensive and damaging. They also drive up insurance costs, upset clients and can lead to costly and lengthy contractual disputes. Join this technical session for an introduction to BESA’s comprehensive guidance on this crucial topic. Chair: Graeme Fox, Head of Technical, BESA Panellists: TBA
16:10	Thanks and close

Roundtables day 1

The roundtables give you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge in a more intimate setting with the sponsor, speaker and panellists. Each round table is free to attend and will last approx. 45 minutes to one hour and is is your chance to ask our experts questions and join in with the discussion.

10:35: Keeping it clean: Water quality in HVAC systems’

DAY 2

	Theatre 1	Theatre 2
09:30	Welcome from BESA's CEO, David Frise
09:40	Lessons from COVID-19: enabling Infection Resilient Environments Professor Cath joins us to discuss the RAEng work on Infection Resilient Environments and the need for a shift in thinking for both COVID and IAQ. She will look at some of the challenges that have emerged from the RAEng work and consider the complexities and opportunities around delivering this. Chair. David Frise, CEO, BESA Speaker: Professor Cath Noakes OBE, FREng, CEng, FIMechE, FIHEEM, Deputy Director of Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics
10:35	Is Modern Slavery & Exploitation in Your Supply Chain? Understanding forms of modern slavery and exploitation, whether it is on UK shores or further down in your supply chain is fundamentally important. In this presentation we will understand the current landscape, how to spot signs and what you can do to combat it. Chair: David Frise, CEO, BESA Speaker: Helen Carter, Lead Consultant, Action and Sustainability	Getting back to energy efficiency This joint BESA and ESTA (Energy Services Technology Association) session will examine why so many building designs fail to pick the ‘low hanging fruit’ of basic energy saving measures and how we can turn this around. Chair: Emma Brooks, Managing Director, Quintex Systems Ltd Panellists: TBA
11:10	Stop Passing the Buck Panellists drawn from across the sector debate the skills, technical and process problems that the industry will need to address to show it has learnt lessons from the Grenfell Tower disaster. Chair: David Frise, CEO, BESA Panellists: Peter Yates, Regional Framework Director, Constructing West Midlands, Vice Chairman, National Association of Construction Frameworks	Meeting the Net Zero housing challenge Nigel Banks of ilke Homes will outline how the UK can increase the number of homes being built while still meeting climate goals. He will focus on operational issues, but also consider the impact of embodied carbon and how homes can be adapted for climate change. Chair: Ewen Rose, Communications Manager Speaker: Nigel Banks, Director of Special Projects, ilke Homes
11:45		Importance of Commissioning The challenge of reopening buildings following the pandemic has led to a surge in demand for commissioning specialists able to ensure systems can be re-started safely and fine-tuned to deal with emerging challenges like changes to occupancy levels. Members of BESA’s Commissioning Group will consider the technical implications of this change of emphasis and examine ways for the sector to ensure its contribution to buildings is properly valued and promoted to the wider world. Chair: TBA Speaker: TBA
12:15	BREAK
13:00	Keeping our COP26 promises – Net zero session The BESA conference comes just before the Glasgow COP26 climate conference which is an opportunity to showcase building engineering solutions that can drive net zero. However, it is future generations who will have to deal with the long-term consequences of our success or failure and the young engineers of today who will deliver the solutions that can safeguard our future. The Conference is an opportunity for the younger generation to challenge our politicians and the industry’s leaders to make good on our promises. Chair: Kevin Mitchell, CIBSE President-elect Panellists: Jennifer Cox, AECOM and current Graduate of the Year Members of the BESA’s Future Leaders’ group TBA	Health, wellbeing, and safety: it's a priority! Rebecca will be providing all the latest guidance on site safety and good practice. Businesses must exercise their duty of care under health and safety legislation to ensure all workers are protected and ensure that any critical information related to their health and safety is communicated clearly and then implemented. Both employers and the self-employed must be aware that there can be no let-up in health and safety awareness on site as we move forward. Speaker: Rebecca Crosland, Head of Health and Safety at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
13:35	The future office space Chair: TBA Panellists: Ruth Kelly-Waskett, Senior Associate, Hoare Lea Frances Brown, Senior Associate, Hoare Lea	TBC
14:10	Think you know about LEV? Why not pit yourself against the experts? Looking at where to go to for knowledge, resources, what you need to know when undertaking LEV projects, legal requirements and common pitfalls. Join panellists to discuss the common everyday issues that are causing death and suffering to thousands in the UK every year. Chair: Ewen Rose, Communications Manager, BESA Panellists: Adrian Sims, current Vice Chair of ILEVE and Chair of the LEV Industry Regulator’s Forum Competency Committee Dean Greer, current Chair of ILEVE Jane Bastow, former Chair of ILEVE. Chair and co-author of the BESA document TR40 – A Guide to Good Practice for LEV	Headline sponsor Mitsubishi Speaker: Mark Grayston, Head of Product Strategy & Delivery, Mitsubishi Electric
14:40	BREAK
15:00	Recruitment - TBC	Late payments and contractual disputes Speaker: TBA
15:35	Hydrogen - TBC	Buildings as Safe Havens – keeping people safe and well indoors Is air quality the new wealth gap. The most socially disadvantaged also suffer the worst indoor air quality, which is contributing to a new type of ‘urban slum’. The group will analyse what is going wrong and suggest a range of solutions to deliver better living and working conditions for all. Chair: Nathan Wood, Wellbeing in Buildings Chairman and MD at Farmwood Ltd
16:10	Closing plenary: Beer and takeway We take a look back at the last two day's content and reflect on the key So, what happens after two days of talking? We talk some more…but not just for the sake of it. This is a chance to reflect on all we have learnt during the Conference and establish the key ‘takeaways’ for delegates; provide some pointers as to what needs to change because of our new knowledge; and agree what steps BESA should take next to turn hot air into action. CEO David Frise will chair a final discussion featuring session chairs, BESA staff and others keen to share their insights and agree a plan of action. If we were together in person we would provide the beers too, but on this occasion, you’ll have to bring your own!

Visit BESA

Established in 1904, The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has evolved throughout the years to reflect the growing needs of our members and encompass all of the specialist services available within the built environment.

We are a membership organisation. Our mission is to act as our member’s voice, representing the best interests of firms active within the built environment at a regional and national level. Our members range from the smallest enterprises to the largest organisations within the industry, we offer specialist support services, training courses and advice that is tailored to meet their individual requirements.

BESA takes an active interest in the building services and wider construction industries, voicing the views of our members and driving for initiatives that represent the best interests of those who work within the built environment. For over 100 years, our Association has been making our members' voices heard in the ‘corridors of power’. In the past 12 months we have focused on:

Representing our sectors’ view in numerous consultations including BREXIT
Safeguarding industry skills by working closely with employers to deliver industry specific training
Supporting member businesses to win more work and get paid on time for it
Gaining agreement from clients inc. insurers, councils and retailers to specify BESA members in future tenders
Spearheading mental health awareness and championing the business case for diversity

Conference Programme

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CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

THIS YEARS' KEY THEMES:

PROGRAMME AS FOLLOWS:

DAY 1

Theatre 1

Theatre 2

09:30

09:40

10:35

11:10

11:45

12:15

13:00

13:35

14:10

14:40

15:00

15:35

16:10