Nicholls has stepped up from her position as head of service development this week, where she led initiatives to raise skills and training standards across the BESA membership. She joined the Association in 2024, following senior roles at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, including Head of Construction and Transport, and previously worked at the Education Development Trust.

BESA Chief Executive Officer David Frise praised Nicholls’ impact to date, stating: “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.”

Yeulet, who previously held the role, will now focus on strategic industry-wide projects and government engagement, including skills policy development and grant funding initiatives.

Commenting on her appointment, 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.”

Frise added that the transition reflects BESA’s commitment to evolving with industry needs by “retaining expertise, building leadership depth and doubling down on our mission to support members through competence, compliance and collaboration”.