Pete Curtis of Briggs & Forrester, elected BESA president for 2025/26, used his inaugural speech in London to urge firms to sign up to the association’s new Member Pledge – a commitment to embed competence throughout business operations and inspire supply chains to do the same.

Curtis said: “It’s easy to call on government to do something. But we all have influence – over our people, our processes and the way we build. We must use that to change things for the better.”

With more than 35 years at Briggs & Forrester, Curtis highlighted building safety compliance, digital investment and tackling skills shortages as his presidential priorities.

He warned the sector faces a critical threat from an ageing workforce, falling training provision and a lack of assessors to support apprenticeships.

Curtis said he would expand BESA’s ‘Skills Legacy’ programme, encouraging experienced engineers to share knowledge with colleges and trainees.

He added: “Many engineers underestimate the value of their experience. Sharing that knowledge is one of the best ways to give something back to the industry – and a vital step in making sure our sector has a future.”