THE Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has paid tribute to former president Robert (Rab) Fletcher, who has passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was president of the association in 2022/23 and mechanical services team manager at Fife Council Building Services. Despite having more than 30 years’ experience in construction and building services engineering, BESA revealed Fletcher always modestly described himself as ‘a time served plumber’.
He also served as chairman of BESA Scotland for several years and was one of the founders of the BESA Local Authority Forum. This network forged links between public sector specifiers and Scottish contractors.
Fletcher worked for the £130 million turnover building services division of Fife Council for nearly 30 years, having started in a plumbing role before progressing through the ranks to supervisor and co-ordinator. He was promoted to team manager in 2012 where he was responsible for delivering an annual £15 million programme of more than 2,000 domestic heating installations for council tenants. From 2017 he also oversaw all the mechanical services in Fife Council’s 3,000 non-domestic properties.
A powerful advocate of young engineers and a committed champion of apprenticeships, Fletcher was lead mentor for Fife Council Building Services mechanical apprentices, of which there were often more than 30 working in plumbing/gas and mechanical disciplines. He intervened personally to ensure several were taken on by the council after being made redundant by private employers.
BESA CEO David Frise said, “Rab was a delightful man who worked extremely hard on behalf of our members during a difficult period for the industry. Despite his own health struggles, he remained extremely generous with his time and support, providing inspirational leadership throughout his time as president and as an officer.
“Everyone who met Rab is mourning his loss and we will all miss his cheerful personality and wise counsel.”
