BESA launches Member Pledge to lead way on competence

At its 2025 Annual Conference in London on 16th October BESA launched its new Member Pledge and seven member companies signed the document at the event.

The Pledge is an agreement to ensure competence and compliance are at the heart of all business operations – and to encourage suppliers to do the same. Its aim is to spotlight competence in the industry – and to make BESA members stand out in the market.

The companies who signed the Pledge at the Conference were: Linaker, Hurley, IAQ Services, Hensall, UpNorth Group (UNG), Gratte Brothers, Briggs & Forrester Group (pictured below)

Speaking at the Conference, BESA CEO David Frise (pictured) said this would create a powerful incentive for clients to specify BESA members because of their ability to prove their technical and professional competence through the Association’s technical membership audit process.

He also pointed to the Building Safety Act as a key driver for greater demonstrable competence across the construction sector: “Are you technically competent? That’s the question we need to ask. Our purpose is a competent – and better – industry.”

BESA Member companies are regularly inspected by a third-party to assess their technical competence and commercial capability. In June 2025, BESA suspended 14 members for failing to comply with the audit process. Frise pointed out that since those suspensions, BESA has added more new members than ever in 2025.

“We believe that there should be no gap between what you say you do and what you can do. The BESA Technical Audit demonstrates that. BESA membership is supported by clients because they know we are competent.”

This focus on competence has become even more important since the introduction of the Building Safety Act, which has placed more emphasis on the role of contractors. This means that demonstrating technical know-how to clients on projects falling under the BSA is critical – but is also increasingly important across the sector.

BESA has set its sights on becoming a member organisation which maintains high standards, and whose members are the first-choice for clients. Frise pointed to those who signed the Pledge at the Conference and said: “If nothing changes, nothing changes, and in any campaign, there are always those who take the first step.”