BESA suspends five more members over audit failures

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has suspended five member companies for failing to meet its Competence Assessment Standard (CAS), as part of its wider push to improve industry standards. The action follows the suspension of 14 firms last year.

The CAS audit, which all existing and prospective members must pass, assesses firms across business practices, financial solvency, insurance, health and safety, and technical competency. The five firms were suspended after failing to meet these standards during the independent audit process.

BESA’s Council, responsible for governance, said the decision underlines the Association’s commitment to upholding the values of its founders and to supporting the UK government’s ambition to raise construction standards under the Building Safety Act.

“BESA has never been afraid to robustly defend its remit and constitution,” said chief executive David Frise (pictured). “It might seem counterintuitive for a membership body to suspend or reject companies, but membership needs to stand for something. We would always favour quality over quantity.”

The current pass rate for the audit — with no non-compliance issues — is 62%, which BESA says shows the robustness of its system, while highlighting that many firms still have work to do.

The Association recently launched a Member Pledge, signed by major members, committing them to professional and technical competence. Frise added that clients had a strong incentive to specify BESA members, given the audit process provides assurance around legal and professional duties in procurement.

The CAS audit is carried out by BESCA, a UKAS-accredited body, and includes on-site checks linked to current technical standards. A full list of compliant member companies is available via the BESA member register.