Jill Nicholls

Jill Nicholls is stepping up from her current role as head of service development to replace Helen Yeulet, who is moving on to a new position as strategic consultant to the Association, focusing on key industry-wide projects and government skills policy.

In her previous role, Nicholls was responsible for driving up standards in skills and training across the BESA membership.

“Jill’s commitment and dedication to raising the bar for skills, training, and competence standards has already made a major impact. It is exactly what we need to take our crucial work around professional and technical competence and compliance to the next stage,” said BESA chief executive officer David Frise.

“She will be building on impressive foundations laid by Helen who will now focus her considerable expertise on several strategic projects that are vital to the industry’s future,” he added.

Nicholls joined BESA last year after seven years at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, where she rose to become head of construction and transport. She was previously employed by the Education Development Trust.

“I am excited to be taking on this important role at such a pivotal time for the building engineering sector,” she said. “Competence and compliance are central to everything our members face – not least increasing scrutiny around building safety, the push to decarbonise buildings, and the wider adoption of digital technologies which require a new type of skilled worker.

“I am looking forward to cementing BESA’s position at the heart of these issues and continuing to build on what Helen has already achieved.”

Yeulet will now be focusing her expertise on deeper engagement with government to raise the profile of building services and ensure the industry is a key part of wider skills policy initiatives. She will also continue to leverage her expertise around applications for grant funding and develop the wider remit of the industry’s umbrella skills bodies.

“This is a great example of how BESA is evolving to meet the needs of a fast-changing industry by retaining expertise, building leadership depth and doubling down on our mission to support members through competence, compliance and collaboration,” said Frise.