BESA appoints Jill Nicholls to lead competence and compliance work

Nicholls takes on senior BESA role during critical phase for skills and safety

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has named Jill Nicholls as its new director of competence and compliance, according to a 2025 announcement from the organisation.

Nicholls replaces Helen Yeulet, who will transition into a new role as BESA strategic consultant, focusing on national skills policy and cross-industry collaboration projects.

Nicholls had previously served as BESA’s head of service development, where she oversaw efforts to raise competence standards across the association’s membership.

BESA chief executive officer David Frise said Nicholls had already made “a major impact” through her work and would continue the Association’s strategic development in this area.

Nicholls said she welcomed the opportunity to lead on competence and compliance during a period of growing scrutiny over building safety and the technical skills required in modern construction.

New leadership builds on prior industry and regulatory experience

BESA stated that Nicholls brings extensive experience from regulatory and education sectors.

Prior to joining BESA in 2024, she held the position of head of construction and transport at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, where she served for seven years.

She also previously worked for the Education Development Trust.

In her earlier BESA role, she worked on raising training standards, improving compliance frameworks, and preparing the workforce for evolving requirements around digital skills and decarbonisation.

According to Frise, her background equips her to “take our crucial work around professional and technical competence and compliance to the next stage.”

Focus turns to digital skills, decarbonisation, and public accountability

BESA explained that the association is adapting to new challenges facing its members, including the shift toward decarbonised infrastructure and digital building systems.

Nicholls 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.”

She added that her new role would focus on strengthening BESA’s position in these areas while continuing existing work on compliance and training.

BESA stated that the post reflects the organisation’s ongoing strategy to strengthen industry professionalism in line with government expectations.

Yeulet to act as strategic consultant on skills and funding

Helen Yeulet, who previously held the director position, will now work as a strategic consultant to BESA.

Her new role will include direct engagement with government stakeholders and managing the Association’s involvement in broader skills policy development.

BESA said she would also continue working on grant funding applications and supporting the coordination of industry-wide skills bodies.

According to Frise: “She will now focus her considerable expertise on several strategic projects that are vital to the industry’s future.”

The association noted that retaining Yeulet’s knowledge was key to maintaining continuity and delivering ongoing reform work.

BESA outlines its evolving strategy for sector support

BESA stated that the dual appointment of Nicholls and Yeulet reflects a broader effort to build capacity and leadership within the Association.

Frise said: “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.”

He also said the Association aims to ensure continued alignment with government objectives while adapting to members’ changing needs.

The organisation has highlighted its focus on compliance as part of its wider agenda to promote high standards in the built environment sector.

BESA noted that the new appointments are part of long-term succession planning aimed at ensuring strategic continuity.

BESA appoints Jill Nicholls to lead competence and compliance work: Summary

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has appointed Jill Nicholls as director of competence and compliance.

Nicholls replaces Helen Yeulet, who will become BESA’s strategic consultant.

Nicholls previously served as BESA’s head of service development.

She formerly held senior roles at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Nicholls said her focus will be on building safety, decarbonisation, and digital skills.

BESA chief executive David Frise said her work had already improved training standards.

Yeulet will now lead government engagement and skills funding efforts.

BESA said the dual roles are part of a broader organisational strategy.

The Association stated it is building capacity to support members’ changing needs.

Frise said the appointments reflect BESA’s focus on competence, compliance, and collaboration.