News

The Modern Built Environment knowledge transfer network (MBE KTN) is seeking to work in closer collaboration with FMs through the BIFM. 

Why? 

Because FMs understand buildings.  They understand how buildings work and they know what needs to happen to make buildings work more efficiently and effectively.  Furthermore they operate in the space that sits between those who ’use’ the building (irrespective of function - office, supermarket, school, hospital) and those that own or are renting the building, and therefore have the onerous task of keeping both sets of people happy.

And then they are almost always the people who represent the owner or occupier when technical improvements are being discussed, or building performance improvement sought.

In short they are in between a rock and a hard place, at the heart of a building’s life, and have the valuable practical, real-world expertise that the MBE KTN needs access to, to fulfil its role in helping the specification and identification of better innovation - innovation that will make a positive difference.

So what precisely is the MBE KTN and how can FMs do to get more closely engaged?

The Modern Built Environment Knowledge Transfer Network (MBE KTN) is one of 19 knowledge transfer networks, with a total membership of around 60,000, funded by the Technology Strategy Board to increase the exploitation of innovation for demonstrated business benefit. The Network brings together all organisations that make up the supply chains active in the built environment, such as businesses (suppliers and clients) universities, research and technology organisations, the finance community and government departments and agencies.

The MBE KTN works with its members - currently in excess of 10,600 - to:

• identify industry challenges - current and future;

• showcase potential innovations;

• signpost research capabilities;

• seek solutions from outside the sector;

• catalyse new collaborations;

• facilitate access to funding opportunities; and

• assist members connect with each other.

and provides many benefits including:

Networking - frequent opportunities to network with other businesses and academics through targeted events, meetings and special interest focus groups organised by the KTN.

Information and news - free access to on-line services such as reports, newsletters, webinars/e-training, events diaries, e-conferencing and collaboration tools and general sector/application specific information.

Funding opportunities -advice on Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R& D calls, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and other sources of funding for innovation such as Framework Programme 7, Eureka, Venture Capital.

Policy and regulation - giving members the opportunity to influence policies and regulation in the UK and abroad.

MBE KTN delivery teams are currently focusing on four key areas to establish where innovation can add real value to the built environment.  These are:

Energy and Carbon Efficiency - Energy demand and supply is heavily influenced by the built environment.  Buildings are responsible for around half of all energy consumed in the UK and nearly 50% of all CO₂ emissions

Process Efficiency - Low impact buildings must be run efficiently and operated well to deliver the targets set for them, and the impact of the industry itself will be equally reduced if its operations are cost effective.

Climate Change Adaptation - There is a clear need for the built environment to innovate to adapt to increased frequency of extreme events, hotter summers, wetter winters and the associated effects of water availability and thermal comfort.

Life Extension and Retrofit - with the increased realisation that the UK has an aging infrastructure and building stock, which has to be maintained rather than replaced, there are strong drivers to tackle performance improvement.

In support of these ends, MBE KTN plays a key role in the development of the Technology Strategy Board’s future direction by providing input and critical feedback into the TSB’s latest calls, gained through liaison and concept verification in conjunction with its members.

This is exactly the sort of scenario where the astute practical experience of FMs is invaluable, and why MBE KTN needs the benefit of their experience - initially in helping to ’write the specification’, then later assessing and evaluating the likely technical and financial impact of the outputs. And, of course, the FMs’ companies will also benefit from the opportunity to network and collaborate with other innovative members, and perhaps benefit themselves from these and other such calls. 

It costs nothing to register on the MBE KTN’s website (www.mbektn.co.uk), but doing so will provide immediate access to a great deal of invaluable information on upcoming events, sources of innovation funding, latest reports and publications, opportunities to network and collaborate, and, of course, details of the Technology Strategy Board’s competition announcements.

For more information and to ensure that the views and opinions of the FM profession are heard, go to the MBE KTN’s website or contact tony.matthews@mbektn.co.uk; telephone 01344 465508.