Actuate UK engineering services alliance
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
On 10 February 2021, the UK engineering services sector announced the formation of Actuate UK, an industry alliance of eight organisations:
- The Building Engineering and Services Association (BESA).
- The Building Services Research and Industry Association (BSRIA).
- The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
- ECA - Electrical and Engineering Services.
- The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA).
- The Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA).
- SELECT – the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland.
- The Scottish and NI Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF).
[edit] Focus of Actuate UK
Actuate UK - the engineering services alliance - is the umbrella body for UK engineering services. It brings together the leading trade, technology and professional bodies within the multi-billion-pound sector: BESA, BSRIA, CIBSE, ECA, FETA, LEIA. Actuate UK delivers a single, shared and authoritative voice to affect positive change in the built environment. It acts as an agent for positive change and will support the delivery of a safer, more productive and more sustainable built environment.
Actuate UK is the ‘go to’ organisation for Government and key stakeholders within the built environment for the engineering services sector;
- It provides thought leadership, expertise and practical guidance;
- Its purpose is to instigate and effect positive change in our industry to facilitate a better built environment for all;
- It represents the wider engineering services sector in the built environment with one shared voice;
Actuate UK works in partnership with sector bodies operating in the UK nations and represents the interests of the sector in four key areas:
- the current business environment;
- implementation of Building Safety Act – post-Grenfell competences and compliance;
- skills for the future
- climate crisis and UK's net zero target.
The built environment is at a crossroads. The Building Safety Act sets out radical and far reaching changes to the way that buildings are engineered. The emerging findings from the Hackitt Review and the Grenfell Tower Enquiry have made plain the need for cultural change in the industry.
Added to this, UK's road to 2050 Net Zero target provides great business opportunities for the sector to respond and contribute. Actuate seeks to support the net zero carbon agenda by leveraging combined expertise.
In order to deliver meaningful change in all these areas, developing skills and retaining the talent of the sector is an essential underlying and ongoing challenge which must be overcome.
Actuate UK leads the industry response to the new Building Safety regulations, action plans for net zero carbon goals, campaigns for a better and fair business environment while addressing the skills gap issues. It provides leadership and champions the positive changes needed in industry culture.
For more details on Actuate UK policy areas download the Actuate UK Manifesto or visit https://www.actuateuk.org.uk/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Actuate UK issues climate warning and urges action.
- Articles by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA).
- BESA - the Building Engineering Services Association.
- BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building Safety Bill.
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers CIBSE.
- Coronavirus and the construction industry.
- Electrical contractor.
- Engineering Council.
- Engineer for construction.
- Get ready for green jobs and upgrade projects.
- New deal for infrastructure 2020.
- Re-starting construction in a COVID-19 environment.
- Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation SNIPEF.
- Scottish building services certification schemes.
- SELECT Scotland's Electrical Trade Association.
- Skills for Climate consultation launched.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.