Morrissey will take up his new position with BESA from March 2025 and brings more than 35 years’ industry experience to the role, including as chair of the Association’s technical committee since 2023.  

He leaves HE Simm after nearly six years, having previously held technical and operational leadership roles at Wates, Lorne Stewart, NG Bailey and Axima/Sulzer Infra. His career began in 1989 as an apprentice with Matthew Hall where he qualified as a building services engineer. 

“We are absolutely delighted that Kevin has agreed to join the staff having already served the Association with great distinction as a volunteer,” said BESA’s chief executive officer David Frise.  

“He will now be able to share his wealth of technical knowledge and experience with even more of our members to the huge benefit of the whole BESA community.” 

As chair of the technical committee, Morrissey oversaw BESA’s regular output of technical guidance and advice. He played an important role in the Association’s response to the Building Safety Act, its work around the decarbonisation of heat, indoor air quality, and the rapid changes taking place in the use of refrigerants for cooling technologies. 

His appointment follows BESA’s recruitment of Tony Gilbert as its first chief operating officer in an ambitious reshaping of its senior leadership team. 

“This is both an exciting and challenging time for our sector. I am looking forward to ensuring that BESA continues to lead the way in addressing these challenges and helps its members respond to them,” said Morrissey. “Our sector is facing an extraordinary rate of change and technical demands, but there are significant opportunities too. 

“Whilst trading conditions remain tough, and many contractors are having to battle hard to keep their heads above water, there is increasing awareness of the crucial role BESA members play in providing comfortable, functional, sustainable, and safe environments for building users.” 

He added that with increased awareness, the opportunities for growth were “clear to see” and that those companies able to invest in recruitment, training and improved technologies “could look forward to reaping the rewards”. 

Morrissey said that taking up one of the industry’s most high-profile and influential technical positions “just seemed like the logical next career step for me.” 

“I am incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to help BESA provide its members and the industry as a whole with the information, tools and support they need to build for the future,” he said.