The British Board of Agrément has announced its membership of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) Corporate Partner programme.

The move is a further step in the BBA’s drive for transformation and its desire for greater collaboration with industry, building partnerships to share knowledge, expertise and best practice for the benefit of its clients and the wider industry development and initiatives.

The BBA, through its Highways Authority Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS), has worked alongside ADEPT for more than 20 years via the highways technical advisory committee HiTAC, of which ADEPT is a stakeholder. In becoming a corporate partner the BBA further cements this relationship and hopes to collaborate on developing policies and initiatives to take to government in the drive to create a safer, more innovative, construction industry.

Surinder Samra, Technical and Business Development Manager – HAPAS said: “We are committed to being a driver for change and joining ADEPT’s Corporate Partner programme allows the BBA to work with it assisting industry leaders in influencing and leading the transformation of local authorities and the infrastructure that supports and surrounds our communities. We are excited about building relationships and sharing our knowledge of legislation and standards, as well as addressing procurement process inefficiencies and championing quality in the built environment relating to highways and the civils sector.

“A more formal and closer relationship with ADEPT will be an advantage to our HAPAS clients, who will benefit from increased learnings and insights to help address challenges they are facing and assist with better business decisions.”

Hannah Bartram, Chief Operating Officer for ADEPT said: “So much of ADEPT members’ work is to ensure the systems and processes we use when providing essential services for the public are of a high standard, safe and fit for purpose. We are committed to supporting members and their teams through developing learning opportunities, sharing best practice and raising skills levels across local authorities. I am pleased to welcome the BBA to ADEPT’s Corporate Membership Programme and look forward to working closely with it on exciting new projects.”

The BBA is the UK’s leading building and highways product certification body, helping clients mitigate risk and product manufacturers differentiate themselves in their markets.

ADEPT members are responsible for delivering public services relating primarily to the physical environment and economy (highways, recycling, waste and planning). It works at local, regional and national levels and engages with central government, advising on policy development and initiatives.