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BESA’s History

2021

BESA published its Diversity and Inclusion principles.

2020

BESA moves offices from Canary Wharf, home to the organisation since 1988.

2019

The BESA Women's Educational Suppliers Network was launched.

2019

BESA started BESS Vietnam, the first UK exhibition in this market.

2019

BESA launched the LearnED roadshow, a series of teacher CPD events in association with the DfE to support the launch of the DfE digital strategy. BESA won Silver Best New Association Conference or Event for the LearnED Roadshow at the Association Excellence Awards.

2019

BESA launched its LendED portal ā€“ an online platform for schools to trial EdTech products for free.

2018

BESA announced joint venture partnership with EdTech Exchange.

2018

BESA accompanied Prime Minister, Theresa May to China to showcase the best of British education.

2017

BESA lobbied for a properly funded education system through its Resource our Schools campaign.

2016

Caroline Wright became Director General in July 2016.

2015

BESA membersā€™ recorded turnover exceeds Ā£2billion for the first time.

2012

BESA introduced its Launchpad scheme for start-ups under 2 years old.

2011

BESA involved in creation of the Education World Forum, which in 2016 attracted 82 ministers worldwide

2008

BESA starts the All Party Parliamentary Group for Education with cross-party support And BESA 75th Anniversary

2007

BESA starts BES Dubai as the precursor to GESS Dubai, the main educational event serving the Gulf region

2006

Successfully took the BBC to Europe over BBC Jam as illegal state aid.

2005

Achieved Ā£500million + e-learning credits to support the ed-tech industry.

2002-3

Ran Digital Learning Alliance campaign against the BBC proposal for a Digital Curriculum, supporting members in successful judicial review of BBC.

1999

Observed educational furniture was built based on pupil sizes in 1960s. Started process to create a new European standard for educational furniture: EN1729.

1996

Judicially reviewed YPO as representative of public purchasing consortia to achieve a level playing field for public & private sector suppliers.

1993

British Educational Equipment Association rebrands as British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)

1991

Introduced the Education Show - BESAā€™s promise to ministers to help schools become ā€˜informed purchasersā€™ under LMS in the ā€™88 Act

1989

Working with UK companies / banks to create the Turkish Universities Project, re-equipping 33 Turkish unis with UK equipment valued at Ā£67million.

1985

Bett launched as the High Technology & Computers in Education Exhibition, by DG Dominic Savage & Timothy Collins.

1970

First full-time DG appointed recognising an ever complicating political environment.

1960

Name change to Educational Equipment Association as industry recognised that its trade body needed to embrace a lobbying role.

1933

Educational Exhibitors Association (EEA) formed to provide UK exhibitions so teachers could access assessing books, teaching aids & equipment.