BESA Conference 2025 - The Race to the Top

The SectorScope has been confirmed as a media partner for the BESA Annual Conference 2025, which takes place on 16 October at The Brewery in London.

This year’s theme, “Race to the Top”, will explore how the building engineering services sector can drive innovation, sustainability and safety while ensuring long-term, responsible growth. The one-day event will bring together contractors, specifiers, engineers and industry leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the built environment.

Conference programme

The agenda will run across two dedicated theatres:

Theatre One, sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, will focus on the operational side of running a business in the sector.

Theatre Two, sponsored by Schneider Electric, will look at workforce competence and the skills needed to meet current and future demands.

A  new feature, “Meet the Experts,” will give attendees direct access to specialists offering guidance on issues such as the Building Safety Act, legal and commercial matters, employment and education, competence and compliance, and indoor air quality.

Alongside live sessions and expert panels, the conference will also provide networking opportunities and insights into emerging market trends.

Keynote speaker

This year’s keynote will be delivered by May, Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks at Buro Happold. A senior construction lawyer with more than 19 years’ experience, she is widely recognised for her expertise in digital and construction technology.

May has co-authored several influential industry documents, including the CIOB AI Playbook, the ISO19650-compliant Information Protocol, and the Centre for Digital Built Britain’s Digital Twins Roadmap. She also chairs the IM4Legal industry group and has been recognised with awards including Best Woman in Construction Law (2020) and the Compliance Innovator Award at the Lexology European Counsel Awards (2023).

Industry themes

The “Race to the Top” programme will address some of the most pressing issues for the sector, with sessions expected to cover net zero, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and building safety. The conference follows last year’s edition, where journalist Peter Apps delivered a keynote on the Grenfell Inquiry and the Building Safety Act.

Supported by sponsors Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric and S&P UK, the event aims to provide delegates with practical insights and tools to support business growth, workforce development and compliance.

The BESA Annual Conference takes place on 16 October 2025 at The Brewery, London.