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BESA Leadership Hub

Meet your leaders driving our industry forward

At BESA, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and leadership of our members. Across the UK, our Chairs and Vice Chairs play a vital role in shaping the future of building engineering services - representing your interests, championing local priorities, and ensuring your voice is heard at the national level.

Explore the Chairs and Vice Chairs Profiles below:

Pete Curtis - Midlands Chair

Briggs & Forrester Ltd

Pete Curtis is a highly experienced building services engineer with over 35 years of service at Briggs & Forrester Group – one of the UK’s largest independent contractors, turning over more than £270m annually.

Read more about Pete

He has worked his way up through the ranks since 1988 to his current role as group services manager, reporting directly to the CEO and the board of directors. He has an impressive background in people development, contract management, and organisational performance.

A graduate of the University of Northampton, and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD Pete has long been a champion for developing future generations of craft and technical engineers and is determined to see progress on addressing the industry’s skills shortages.

“We have an ageing workforce with more people approaching retirement than coming into the industry. BESA members have identified this as the biggest threat to their prospects for growth,” he says.

“Many training centres have stopped delivering building services courses because of historic low demand and many suffer from a shortage of trainers and assessors. This is a fundamental problem that undermines any progress we make in promoting the sector to young people.”

Pete intends to build on the findings of a detailed study carried out by BESA into the sector’s skills requirements and will seek to grow the number of qualified trainers and assessors supporting apprenticeships through the Association’s ‘Skills Legacy’ programme.

“This is a fantastic way for experienced engineers to give something back in the later stages of their careers, and I can’t think of anything more fitting for me to champion in my presidential year.”

Ross Docherty - Scotland Chair

Protech Heating Ltd

Ross Docherty is the Commercial Director of “DCC Energy” subsidiary “The Protech Group”. With over 30 years’ experience within the HVAC industry, Ross has fulfilled several senior technical roles, with specialism in complex heat process systems.  

Read more about Ross

He is renowned as a field combustion specialist with a varied career working across several industry sectors. During his career he has commissioned several industrial combustion plants and provided specialist training to engineers globally.  

In 2008 he co-founded the “Protech Group” where he initially focused on building their maintenance and specialist combustion division, and then progressed into commercial leadership of the entire group.  

In recent years he has sat on several working groups in the advancement of future fuels and emerging technologies to support industry’s drive towards low carbon solutions and  sustainable energy sources. 

Outside of work Ross’s time is committed to his young family & likes to keep fit with swimming and golf. 

Ian Gregory - Eastern Counties Chair

IAQ Consultancy Services

Ian Gregory is the Eastern Counties Regional Chair and Chair of BESA’s Ventilation Hygiene Group, with over 25 years’ experience in Ventilation hygiene, indoor air quality, and fire damper compliance. 

Read more about Ian

As Managing Director of IAQ Services Ltd, he leads a specialist team delivering independent assessments and consultancy across all sectors of the built environment. 

Ian is a strong advocate for raising standards, improving competency, and driving real-world change in the sector.  

He brings a practical, no-nonsense perspective to industry challenges, shaped by decades of on-site experience. 

Ian is passionate about collaboration and pushing the industry forward — not just through policy, but through action.

 

Adrian Sims CEng. BSc. (Hons) CoC (Control) FFOH(S) FILEVE FPLANTE FCIBSE - South West Chair

Vent Tech

Adrian founded Vent-Tech in 2001, specialising in the design, installation, and commissioning of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems.

Read more about Adrian

In 2008, he began pursuing BOHS qualifications, initially focusing on Control and later on Occupational Health, to further enhance his knowledge and expertise in the field of LEV systems.

Adrian was awarded the BOHS Certificate of Competence in Control in 2014. The following year, he became an approved lecturer and examiner for BOHS LEV qualifications and subsequently achieved Specialist Member status with the BOHS in Control.

In 2015, Adrian received the Society of Operations Engineers’ “Plant Engineer of the Year” award for his contributions to LEV work and for his role as co-author of the BESA ILEVE TR40 LEV Guide to Good Practice.

His commitment to the industry has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including:

  • BESA Specialist Group Award for Excellence (2022)
  • BOHS Thomas Bedford Medal (2024) – presented annually for outstanding contributions to improving worker health protection
  • BOHS LEV Practitioner of the Year Award (2025)

Adrian also became the first BOHS Specialist Fellow for Control in 2025.

Dedicated to raising standards within the LEV industry, Adrian has served as a former member of the ILEVE Steering Committee, is currently a Council Member for BESA, and Chair of the HSE’s LEV Industry Regulatory Forum Competency Committee. He is also actively involved in the formation of the new LEV Association, working collaboratively with others to advance the profession.

 

Nathan Wood - London and South East Chair

Farmwood M&E Services Ltd

Nathan Wood serves as the Managing Director of Farmwood Ltd, bringing over two decades of expertise in ventilation, indoor air quality (IAQ), building services, compliance, and healthy building design.

Read more about Nathan

Renowned for his technical proficiency and regulatory acumen, he is deeply committed to enhancing occupant health through superior air quality solutions. 

As Chair of the London & South East Region of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and leader of the ARIC board at BESCA, Nathan provides independent oversight on regulatory compliance and professional competence within the built environment. He also holds the position of Deputy Chair of the Environmental Industries Association (EIA) IAQ Group, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping industry-wide air quality policy and standards. 

Nathan is a core committee member of GO AQS, a cross-sector initiative dedicated to advancing science-driven air quality guidance. He serves as an expert advisor to prominent organizations, including Indoor Air Aware and the Safe Air School Foundation, and actively contributes to the development of national and European IAQ standards, National Occupational Standards, and healthy homes frameworks. 

A respected authority in ventilation system design, commissioning, and compliance, Nathan is a leading voice in driving the adaptation of buildings to prioritize safety, health, and sustainability. His contributions continue to shape the future of the built environment, ensuring healthier and more sustainable indoor spaces. 

Brendan Day - Southwest Vice Chair

IAQ Services Ltd

Brendan is currently the Group Head of Key Accounts at IAQ Services Ltd, a role he assumed after joining the company in January 2022 as National Business Development Manager. 

Read more about Brendan

His career spans a diverse range of roles within the mechanical and environmental services industries, including positions with Hydro-X, Lockton LLP, Swiftclean Environmental Services, and John Carter / The Working Environments Group (M&E, Design & Build). Prior to that, Brendan worked in the pharmaceutical industry with Coopervision, having begun his professional journey as a mechanical services apprentice before returning to further education. Earlier in his career, he also gained valuable experience in recruitment and as a transport manager. 

With over 23 years of experience in the mechanical services industry—including 17 years specialising in air, fire, and water compliance services—Brendan has built a strong reputation for providing ethical, turnkey solutions and technical support to clients across all sectors. His expertise extends to project management and delivering comprehensive compliance strategies that prioritise both efficiency and integrity. 

Outside of work, Brendan has a passion for learning the electric guitar, collecting and listening to vinyl records, and enjoys motorcycling, off-road driving, sailing, swimming (both wild and pool), paddle boarding, and growing vegetables at his allotment. 

Stephen Dunn CMgr FCMI FIGEM FCIPHE FIoD CIWFM MIHEEM AIEMA  - North East Vice Chair

CMS

Stephen Dunn is a highly accomplished leader in the building engineering services sector, currently serving as Best Practice Director (Compliance & ESG) at Commercial Maintenance Services UK Limited.

Read more about Stephen

With over thirty years of progressive experience, Stephen has built a reputation for driving organisational transformation, operational excellence, and sector-wide improvement. 

Throughout his career, Stephen has demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding multidisciplinary teams and shaping the strategic direction of complex national operations. His expertise spans technical, compliance, and governance domains, and he is renowned for implementing robust standards that elevate safety, quality, and sustainability across the industry. 

Stephen’s leadership credentials are underpinned by Fellowships with the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (FIGEM) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (FCIPHE RHP), as well as Chartered Manager and Fellow status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI). He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (FIoD) and a certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (CIWFM), reflecting his commitment to both technical mastery and organisational leadership. 

Beyond his executive responsibilities, Stephen is a prominent figure in sector governance and policy. As an elected member of the IGEM Council, he plays a pivotal role in shaping industry strategy and future direction. He has made significant contributions to national safety and compliance standards through long-standing appointments on the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedures Panel, the HSE Gas RIDDOR Panel, and the Utilisation Procedures Panel. Stephen has also represented the sector on the Cross Parliamentary Panel on Carbon Monoxide, ensuring that industry perspectives inform national policy and regulation. 

Stephen’s commitment to leadership extends into public service. As Lead Governor at North East Ambulance Service and an active Community First Responder, he exemplifies a dedication to public safety, workforce competency, and community wellbeing. 

Adrian Hurley - Wales Vice Chair

 FP Hurley & Sons

Adrian has been a director of the highly respected design, installation and maintenance contractor FP Hurley & Sons since 1990 when he established the company’s Bristol office.

 

Read more about Adrian

In 2017, he was appointed managing director of the Bridgend-based company which was founded by his grandfather Frank 75 years ago. Adrian has been involved with BESA since 2019 when he joined Council as the elected representative for Wales.

He joined the Membership Committee in 2021 and was appointed BESA Vice President in 2022 and BESA President in 2024. He has been a powerful advocate for improving skills and training across the sector and empowering young engineers to help the country achieve its net zero and building safety goals.

On the business front, Adrian has shown his commitment to community investment and determination to ensure FP Hurley leaves a positive legacy in all the communities it serves.

Stuart O'Neil - Scotland Vice Chair

Mitsubishi Electric

Stuart O’Neil has 36 years’ experience in the HVAC industry and is currently a Business Development Manager at Mitsubishi Electric within the service & maintenance and turnkey sales team.

 

Read more about Stuart

Stuart is responsible for generating new business and engaging with customers throughout Scotland and the north of England, from County Durham to The Shetland Islands, providing maintenance and replacement solutions for commercial buildings.

Stuart started his career as part of an A/C installation team. He moved into the service side of the industry a few years later and eventually moved to a company who predominantly service chillers until his move to Climaveneta & Mitsubishi Electric. This is where the opportunity arose on 2020 to become a BDM. 

His career on the tools has seen him working in several unusual places, from Nuclear Submarine bases, Royal Yachts & Palaces to Operating Theatres & Airports, on a large variety of equipment. 

Outside of work, Stuart likes to play a round or two of golf, weather permitting. Formula 1 is another passion of Stuart’s and one day he would love to attend a race in person. At the weekend, if Stuart is not playing golf or watching F1, he will be out and about with his wife and daughter, either on long walks, exploring castles & ruins, or being dragged 
around the city centre shopping.