David Frise, who has combined the roles of head of sustainability at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and CEO of construction fit-out body, FIS, for seven years, has been appointed as BESA’s new CEO.
He takes over with immediate effect, but will also continue in his FIS role at for a short period to help manage the transition to his successor. A former nuclear submariner, he left the Royal Navy to become MD of a building engineering services contractor. “Submarines and buildings might look like two different worlds, but in the end it’s all plumbing!” he said. “That doesn’t mean any of it is easy, but the basic engineering principles are the same, and good quality building services firms – like BESA members – have much in common with the nuclear industry. It will be part of my mission to impress on anyone who will listen that building engineering has a vital social and economic role to play by helping to deliver a top quality built environment.”
A frequent speaker on energy efficiency, system integration, and government policy, he says his key priorities will include ‘stepping up the Association’s already substantial role as a leading provider of technical standards and guidance’, and focusing on training.
