Together the two bodies represent industries with more than £20bn of turnover in the electrotechnical, instrumentation and automation sectors. They are both engaged in UK and European activities and are keen to use as much of their funding as possible to represent their industries. They see co-location and the sharing of back-office administration as the best way to maintain a distinct sector focus, while freeing up funds for active programmes.

Gambica CEO Dr Graeme Philp says that “it makes perfect sense for trade associations to utilise this ‘hub’ approach to operations. We can seamlessly share finance, technical and marketing services along with the cost of premises, but most important, of all our members benefit from the pooling of our collective knowledge and expertise to ensure a stronger voice with Government and other industry stakeholders.”

Beama CEO Dr Howard Porter calls the partnership “a logical progression for two like-minded organisations which both have to understand, interpret and shape European and UK standardisation and political activity”.