Dean Peliter, Managing Director at Watsons Building Services, looks back at the past year and ahead to the future.

As we close the chapter on 2025, our first and foremost thought at Watsons Building Services is one of gratitude. To our customers who trust us to keep their buildings comfortable, safe and efficient, to our partners who collaborate with us on complex, multi-disciplinary projects, and to our team whose expertise and dedication make every success possible, thank you. Your confidence in our work inspires everything we do.

At Watsons, building services are more than day-to-day functions; they are fundamental to occupant comfort, safety, productivity and, increasingly, sustainability. Ongoing advances across building services technologies, from HVAC and electrical systems to plumbing solutions, renewables and Building Management Systems (BMS), inform how we approach every project. By integrating evolving technologies alongside proven engineering solutions, we strive to deliver buildings that are more efficient, responsive and comfortable, both now and into the future.

Reflecting on 2025: Growth with Purpose

Throughout 2025, Watsons experienced strong and sustainable growth. We expanded our reach across the UK, supporting a broader range of commercial and industrial clients while strengthening long-standing customer relationships. This growth was underpinned by our ability to deliver turnkey mechanical and electrical building services, from design and installation through to ongoing servicing and compliance support.

One project that exemplifies this approach was the delivery of an energy-efficient VRF air conditioning system at a major logistics facility in West Yorkshire. The client faced increasing running costs and reliability issues from an ageing system. Our engineers designed and installed a modern VRF solution that significantly improved temperature control while reducing energy consumption.

Crucially, the work was completed in carefully planned phases to ensure the site remained fully operational throughout the installation. Projects like this reflect our expertise in commercial air conditioning installation, particularly in complex, operational environments where downtime is not an option.

An energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade at a logistics centre, featuring VRF systems and independent controls.

Building Trust Through Strong Teams & Systems

In November, we achieved Cyber Essentials Certification, the UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations protect against common cyber threats. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity standards across all areas of the business and safeguarding both our own systems and our clients’ data.

Our success continues to be driven by the expertise and dedication of our people. In September, Paul Cowling, our Senior Mechanical Design Project Engineer, marked 10 years with Watsons. Paul’s long-standing commitment to high-quality design and client-focused delivery is a strong reflection of the culture and values that underpin our business.

Supporting our Community

Beyond our day-to-day operations, 2025 saw a continued expansion of our community involvement, with particular focus on supporting causes that matter locally. We were especially proud to work with Bradford Hospitals Charity, a cause close to our hearts. For the second consecutive year, members of the Watsons team took on the Tough Mudder Challenge, raising over £1,000 to support equipment, training and research aimed at delivering the highest standards of care for patients across Bradford.

Alongside this, we increased our charitable donations and sponsorships, including ongoing support for Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, Cleckheaton RUFC, and Cowling FC. Actively participating in charity initiatives across West Yorkshire and supporting a wide range of local sports and community organisations remains an important part of who we are. These partnerships allow us to give back in a meaningful way and contribute to projects that have a positive, lasting impact within the communities we serve.

Sustainability as Strategy: What 2025 Taught Us

In 2025, sustainability became a core driver of our mechanical and electrical designs. Clients increasingly sought solutions that reduced energy consumption, improved system efficiency and supported long-term compliance, without compromising comfort or reliability. As a result, energy-efficient installations, smarter controls and proactive maintenance moved firmly to the forefront.

This shift is clearly reflected in our design, installation and commissioning of a heating and cooling system at a community hall in Keighley, as part of a wider refurbishment project. The challenge was to provide an energy-efficient solution in a large hall whilst retaining its original character, which dates back to the 1800s.

Another defining trend was the accelerated adoption of smart building technologies. Building Management Systems, intelligent building system controls, sensor-driven monitoring, AI-driven diagnostics and energy auditing now play a vital role in reducing energy waste and improving system efficiency. Features such as real-time energy dashboards, occupancy-based temperature control, remote fault detection and automated scheduling are increasingly enabling facilities teams to make informed, data-driven decisions and proactively manage building performance across energy and water consumption.

In November, I shared a LinkedIn article, highlighting the critical role energy auditing plays in improving building performance. As a business firmly grounded in M&E engineering, we see energy audits as a practical and essential tool for delivering measurable improvements across building portfolios. Beyond meeting compliance requirements or reducing costs, well-executed energy audits provide actionable technical insights that support better system performance and long-term asset value.

Many organisations recognised the role of planned preventative maintenance in supporting sustainability goals. Well-maintained M&E systems operate more efficiently, last longer and reduce unnecessary replacement, making proactive maintenance a key part of responsible building management.

Alongside efficiency and control, indoor air quality continued to gain prominence, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is about both environmental performance and occupant wellbeing. These themes will remain central as we move into 2026, guiding how we design, install and maintain building service systems that are efficient, compliant and future-ready.

A full turnkey heating and cooling service at a historic community hall in Keighley.

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for 2026

As we move into 2026, our focus is firmly on building smarter, more resilient M&E solutions for our customers. Enhancing the customer experience will be a priority, with continued investment in digital tools that simplify booking, reporting and access to system data. Faster response times and clearer communication will remain central to how we support facilities and estates teams.

Technologically, we are expanding our use of smart M&E systems, predictive maintenance techniques and IoT-enabled monitoring. These tools allow us to identify potential issues earlier, reduce downtime and help clients plan maintenance more effectively, particularly for multi-site and critical environments.

Sustainability will remain at the heart of our strategy. We will continue supporting greener building operations, ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations and helping clients future-proof their HVAC, BMS, electrical and plumbing systems through informed design, installation and maintenance.

As the new year approaches, we encourage our customers to plan maintenance early to ensure their mechanical and electrical building systems are reliable, compliant and efficient before peak demand periods. Early planning not only reduces the risk of breakdowns but also supports better budgeting and long-term performance. If you’d like to discuss your building services requirements for the year ahead, our team is ready to help.

Thank you for being part of our journey in 2025. We look forward to supporting you in 2026 and beyond.

Dean Peltier,
Managing Director, Watsons Building Services