Membership of B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association) remains buoyant despite the continuing effects of recession, according to president Bob Shelley.
Speaking at the Annual General Meetings and Conference of the Association's specialist groups in London earlier this month, Mr Shelley revealed that, at the end of March 2012, total membership was just 23 companies down on the previous 12 months - with almost 100 applicants going through the initial inspection and assessment process.

'Considering that we continue to battle against the worst recession most of us can remember, I think that's a very impressive achievement,' the president added.

Commenting on the adoption of a new identity of the organisation (B&ES rather than HVCA) on 1 March this year, Mr Shelley reminded his audience that he and his fellow officers had never seen the exercise as simply a change of name.

'From the outset, we were committed to a programme that would deliver a wider range of member services, further enhancement of our influence and the creation of a natural home for all specialists in building engineering services and renewable technologies,' he explained.

'We are already in the process of reviewing our independent member inspection and assessment regime in order to maximise its 'deemed to satisfy' potential.

'We are already updating many of our technical specifications to ensure that they continue to be regarded as 'bibles' of the sector - and are planning the early launch of a suite of new publications that will highlight the full extent of the B&ES 'footprint'.

'And we are turning our attention to the support we provide members in relation to vocational education and training- especially in relation to the development of
a multi-skilled qualifications framework that will help us to meet our vision of a well-trained, well-qualified, multi-disciplinary workforce,' he concluded.