NBS

NBS is a technology platform for the construction industry. Thousands of users interact daily with its tools to create specifications, find products and develop their digital models.

The NBS platform is used by organisations of all sizes from small architecture and engineering firms, to the very largest global construction companies. NBS enables its customers to reduce their risk by providing expert content at their fingertips; and to work through an intelligent set of connected tools which help them develop and manage their project information more quickly and accurately.

NBS roots lie in the National Building Specification, and since 2005 it has been publisher of the building regulations approved documents for England and Wales. NBS also partners with IHS Markit to deliver the Construction Information Service (CIS) an online tool that gives access to UK construction industry regulations, standards, technical advice and industry news.

NBS was owned by RIBA Enterprises Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal Institute of British Architects created in 1970. However, in June 2018 RIBA Enterprises accepted defeat relating to a disputed VAT repayment of nearly £1.6 million and in the same month, the RIBA and LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, agreed a partnership to support the future growth of RIBA Enterprises Ltd with LDC investing £31.8m for a significant minority shareholding in NBS. The RIBA retained a 42.5 per cent interest in the company. Ref https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/riba-and-ldc-partner-to-support-future-growth-of-nbs

NBS was then sold to Swedish company Byggfakta in February 2021 for an undisclosed sum. Byggfakta is a digital platform for maximising sales in the European construction industry. It is owned by private equity firms TA Associates and Stirling Square.