London — The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) will host its Annual Conference on 16 October at The Brewery in London, bringing together over 200 delegates from across engineering, construction, fire safety, and related sectors. The event promises to spotlight emerging challenges and opportunities tied to artificial intelligence, industry growth, and workforce development.
Keynote sessions include construction lawyer May Winfield, whose presentation “Implementing AI: Will You Get Sued?” will explore how AI is being used in construction, and the legal implications around contracts, data governance, and liability. Another highlight will be from Build UK CEO Suzannah Nichol OBE, speaking on “Building Better Together: Transforming Construction for Growth and Efficiency,” focusing on collaboration, productivity, and strengthening the value chain across housing, infrastructure, and design.
Among central themes are procurement reform—shifting away from price-driven models toward long-term value and whole-life performance—and practical engineering topics including heat pump performance and water quality. Attendees will also engage in workshops about business tools, innovation, and how to ensure compliance and efficiency in evolving regulatory environments.
A strong focus lies on skills and recruitment. BESA will examine how to prepare the next generation of engineers for rapid industry change, emphasising the importance of competence across multiple disciplines. Fire and safety professionals, in particular, are expected to benefit from discussions on integrating fire safety responsibilities into contracts, design, and project delivery.
