BSRIA North will service BSRIA members and wider industry based in the north of England, capitalising on the opportunities created by the “northern powerhouse”.

The members only event was attended by 30 industry senior staff, including building owner operators, contractor, consultants and manufacturers, and the launch offered an excellent opportunity for active debate and networking.

BSRIA was delighted that Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director of Lancashire Skills Hub, performed the official opening. This was followed by the arrival of Seema Kennedy MP, South Ribble, who met with guests in the afternoon for a high-level policy meeting.

The topics du jour of the “northern powerhouse” – boosting connectivity and productivity; skills, apprenticeships and young people in engineering and the built environment; and the changing demographics in today’s population: solutions to tomorrow’s challenges in today’s buildings, were all discussed.