BESA Annual Conference Lock Up -White - Updated 2026
ANNUAL CONFERENCE DATE AND LOCATION-1

BESA Annual Conference

Agenda and Speakers

Exhibit and Sponsor

Tickets

Going Beyond Compliance

Raising Standards, Proving Competence, Delivering Better Buildings

This year’s conference programme challenged the industry to think beyond minimum requirements and pursue true excellence across the built environment. From strategic leadership discussions to practical technical insights, the agenda helped delegates strengthen their competence, improve performance and future proof their businesses.

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Go Beyond Compliance at the BESA Annual Conference and challenge the idea that minimum requirements are enough across five thought provoking theatres.

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Explore our exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities to raise your brand’s profile. Collaborate with BESA, share your expertise and help shape a better future for the industry.

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Explore our exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities to boost brand awareness. Collaborate with BESA, share your expertise and help shape a better future for the industry.

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What the BESA Annual Conference Delivered

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Expert Speakers and Thought-Provoking Discussion: Delve into the latest industry insights and trends shared by seasoned professionals, sparking stimulating discussions that challenge perspectives and inspire growth.

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Networking with Industry Peers: Forge meaningful connections and expand your professional network by engaging with like-minded peers, fostering collaborations, and sharing ideas that drive progress and innovation.

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Industry-Leading Exhibitors: Explore a diverse array of industry-leading exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge products, services, and solutions that are shaping the future of the industry 

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Inspiring Keynotes: Gain valuable insights from distinguished keynote speakers who share their expertise, experiences, and vision, leaving you inspired and equipped with actionable takeaways. 

Andrew Palmer, keynote speak at the BESA Conference 2026

Keynote Speaker, Andrew Palmer

Andrew Palmer is Executive Editor at The Economist, where he helps oversee its B2B strategy and products.

He also writes the Bartleby column on the workplace and hosts the popular Boss Class leadership podcast, interviewing CEOs, economists, academics and business leaders about management, leadership, workplace trends and organisational performance.

Andrew joined The Economist as management correspondent in February 2007. He has since served as Britain editor, business affairs editor, head of the data team, Americas editor, finance editor and banking correspondent. He has also worked as digital editor, overseeing The Economist’s digital content.

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Keynote Speaker, Dr Barbara Lane

Dr Barbara Lane explores what Beyond Compliance really means in practice, drawing on lessons from recent building safety failures. The keynote will examine how we move from minimum regulatory compliance to genuinely safer buildings through better design, competence across the supply chain, stronger safety cultures and shared accountability between clients, designers and contractors.

 It will also consider the future challenges facing the industry as expectations around building safety continue to evolve.

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What’s New at the BESA Annual Conference This Year?

Two Content Theatres 

You asked for more practical, in depth learning opportunities. This year’s conference features two dedicated content theatres focused on the skills, knowledge and standards you need to deliver safer, more efficient buildings.

WorldSkills UK Theatre

The WorldSkills UK Theatre focuses on the practical skills and behaviours that underpin competent building services delivery. It is designed to support current practitioners and the next generation of talent, helping the industry build a resilient and future ready workforce.

The Annual Conference Is CPD Certified

The entire BESA Annual Conference is CPD certified, ensuring that the time you invest contributes directly to your professional development and helps you demonstrate competence, compliance and commitment to best practice.

Two CPD Theatres Sponsored by BESA Academy

We have also introduced two CPD theatres, bringing together leading trainers, technical specialists and regulatory experts to help you stay ahead of industry change

Explore Our Theatre's

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Theatre One | The Bigger Picture

Theatre one focused on the bigger picture shaping the building engineering services industry. From business resilience, leadership and growth to building safety, regulation and the future of the built environment.

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Theatre Two | Technical
Theatre two got closer to the detail with insight into the technical standards, regulations and technologies shaping our industry. From compliance and building regulations to decarbonisation, AI and technical best practice.

CPD Theatre

Two CPD Theatres
Our CPD Theatre helped attendees build their knowledge, and kept their professional development moving with CPD sessions that covered the issues that mattered the most.

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Worldskills UK Theatre
The WorldSkills UK Theatre discussed  the skills, behaviours and expertise shaping the next generation of building engineering professionals. With hands-on demonstrations, technical insights and sessions, this theatre put competence into action. 

Meet the Sponsors

Mitsubishi Electric, Headline Sponsor

Mitsubishi Electric returns as the proud Headline Sponsor of the BESA Annual Conference. The company is a market leader in solutions that heat, cool and ventilate our world.

As a major manufacturer of these pivotal technologies, Mitsubishi Electric understands the UK’s energy challenges and is committed to helping create a more sustainable built environment.

Mitsubishi Electric, sponsor of the BESA Conference 2026

AIRO, Product Innovation Sponsor

AIRO is revolutionising ductwork compliance, fire risk mitigation and air quality monitoring with its globally patented AirCare sensor, the world’s first dust and grease deposit monitoring system.

AIRO returns as the Product Innovation Sponsor of the BESA Annual Conference.

Airo, sponsor of the BESA Conference 2026

Be immersed in building engineering services

 

Meet the Exhibitors

The BESA Annual Conference brought together industry leaders from across the building engineering services sector. Our exhibitors welcomed delegates from across the UK.

They exhibited throughout the conference on 22 October at The Brewery, London, where they connected with delegates and answered their questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.When And Where Is The BESA Conference Being Held?

The BESA Annual Conference 2026 will be held on 22 October 2026 at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD.

2.How Do I Get to The Brewery?

The BESA Annual Conference 2026 will be held at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD. The venue is easily accessible via the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines, with Moorgate as the closest Tube station.

If you are travelling by train, these lines are accessible from both Euston and King’s Cross. From Euston, walk to Euston Square Tube station. At King’s Cross St Pancras, you can join the Underground without leaving the station.

3.Who Should Attend the BESA Annual Conference?

The conference is designed for contractors, specifiers, engineers, manufacturers and other professionals working across the building engineering services sector.

4.Is the BESA Annual Conference CPD Certified?

Yes. The entire BESA Annual Conference is CPD certified, helping delegates contribute to their professional development while demonstrating competence and commitment to best practice.

5.What's New for the 2026 Conference?
The 2026 conference introduces two dedicated content theatres, two CPD theatres sponsored by BESA Academy and a WorldSkills UK Theatre focused on practical skills and the next generation of industry talent.
6.What Can I Expect From The Conference Programme?
The programme combines strategic leadership discussions with practical technical insight across five thought provoking theatres. Sessions will explore the skills, knowledge and standards needed to deliver safer, more efficient buildings.
7.Who Is the Keynote Speaker?

We have two keynote speakers at the BESA Annual Conference 2026.

Our morning keynote speaker is Andrew Palmer, Executive Editor at The Economist.

Our afternoon keynote speaker is Dr Barbara Lane, Chair, Building Advisory Committee, Building Safety Regulator

8.Will There Be Exhibitors at the Conference?
Yes. Leading manufacturers, suppliers and innovators from across the sector will be exhibiting throughout the conference, giving delegates opportunities to explore new solutions and speak directly with industry specialists.