This past year has been a mixed bag of triumphs and uncertainties for our industry, which of course is not surprising. Incertitude surrounding the outcome of Brexit and all that is set to be influenced by its ramifications has continued to frustrate as expected. However, there have been many positive developments against the backdcrop of intense negotiations and let’s hope these contribute to better times as we turn yet another corner into what I anticipate will be a good 2019 for everyone.

BBA EU LogoIn 2018, the BBA needed to make sure that, whatever the eventual outcome of Brexit, we continue to accommodate the needs of our European clients. To that end, this year we opened our new BBA offices in Dublin, Ireland which will act as our focal point for Europe and beyond.

Our clients are informing us that they are seeking out and embracing new possibilities that have arisen from hugely significant developments in the wider global arena.

I am greatly relieved that the relationship between the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the Centre for European Normalisation (CEN) will remain unchanged at least until the end of 2020. This is regardless of the Brexit outcome and, even more encouraging is that during the next two years the BSI and CEN will be spent exploring the future of a longer-term relationship based on market interests as opposed to political climate. The BBA will therefore continue its involvement with associated bodies, participating in discussions on issues that affect our clients and the integrity of our industry as a whole.

This year, in addition to the above, the BBA has broadened its commitment to promoting sustainability within the construction industry. We are very happy, willing and able to work with companies who harbour sustainability as part of their working culture.

Following the appalling tragedy that was Grenfell, with the support of our clients we launched two initiatives. Our Product Excellence Programme (PEP) was introduced to reassure specifiers, designers, architects and contractors that products certified by the BBA for our partners continue to match their published specification.

100% Hackitt was also introduced in partnership with Local Authority Building Control (LABC) to lend support to the recommendations in the Hackitt report.

Both initiatives were successfully launched earlier in the year and we continue to offer our advice and assistance to the industry whenever needed as part of our commitment to our clients, the industry and of course, the general public.

The BBA is always focused on providing industry-leading support for our clients both during the assessment process and after certification has been achieved, which is why we continue to promote the excellent work they do both here and abroad. If you’d like to know more about the activities we undertake on your behalf, please visit our website

As the year comes to an end, it falls to me to say a huge thank you to all our clients for their abiding commitment to raising and maintaining industry standards in an increasingly competitive and highly-populated marketplace.

As ever, and even more particularly now, I am proud to be able to offer my sincere thanks for the hard work and unwavering commitment of our superb staff at the BBA. I articulate these sentiments in true and positive belief that the continued determination of everyone operating within our industry will bear the fruits of success it so richly deserves.

And with these thoughts in mind, it is with the good will of the BBA as a whole that I wish all our clients and industry colleagues a Happy Christmas and the best of good fortune for the new year and all that lies beyond.