The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has appointed Simon Lunt (pictured) as its first head of Business Development as part of a wider strategic review.
He brings extensive and varied experience to the new role, having started his career in the chemical industry in Scandinavia with Forchem Oy before moving into the health and safety sector covering the UK construction, manufacturing, and facilities management sectors at Arco. During three years running his own sales training consultancy he supported firms in the facilities management and air filtration industries and has also worked in the specialised hostile environment gas detection business as Sales and Marketing director for Analox, which supplied projects for the International Space Station, NATO submarines, and the deep-sea diving industry. During this time, BESA says, he gained valuable trade association experience as an active member of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), giving him a useful insight into the workings of industry committees and technical groups, which he expects will prove valuable in his new position at BESA.
“My role is to help the membership team add as much value to as many companies in the building engineering sector as possible,” he said. “BESA offers a remarkable breadth of benefits, and we want our members to take advantage of everything they can, including getting involved in our Working Groups and committees, which can effect real change across the sector. The industry is facing a period of considerable change, particularly with the new scrutiny on working practices prompted by the Building Safety Act, and serious challenges like skill shortages and the need to accelerate the decarbonisation of buildings.
“All of this reinforces the importance of the collective voice and momentum that trade organisations like BESA can provide, so I know I am joining this historic and influential body at an exciting and critical time.”