The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has appointed Neil Brackenridge as president for 2020/21, he succeeds John Norfolk of Imtech Engineering Services
Neil Brackenridge is MEP regional director of Midlands & North at Wates Group. He was chair of the BESA North West region from 2017 to 2019 and has been BESA National Education Committee and Skills Partnership chair since 2017.
Brackenridge has a long and distinguished career in the sector, having also worked for Imtech, CHt, SES and Rosser & Russell after commencing his career as a craft apprentice with Crown House Engineering.
He was also recognised and chosen as the Principle Winner of the HVCA Alfred Manly Award in 2002.
Not quite ‘business as usual’
Brackenridge said it was vital that the industry did not go back to “business as usual” following the current Covid-19 crisis and called for contractors to harness the “unity of purpose” displayed during the pandemic to create a better future.
The new BESA president acknowledges that the sector faced a challenging time as buildings were gradually brought back into use after the crisis.
Brackenridge said: “Young people will be more inclined towards careers in building engineering if they see us making a difference in this way and working together for the greater good.
“Young people have been disproportionately impacted by the crisis and we are in danger of losing yet another cohort of apprentices. Employers must reflect on this and recognise that we will need this new generation to help us rebuild. Restarting the economy means restarting its buildings, but that presents a series of challenges.
“Going into the lockdown was relatively straightforward – getting out of it is proving complicated – not least the technical challenges involved in safely re-opening buildings and rebooting their services; and how to remain productive while getting to grips with new site restrictions.”
