Bre Privatised

The £8.2m management buy-out of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) was finalised recently. The total amount includes £1.7m of proceeds to the government. All BRE's activities will be undertaken through Building Research Establishment Ltd which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Foundation for the Built Environment. Any profits made by BRE will be handed over to the Foundation. Members of the Foundation, which includes the Glass & Glazing Federation have been grouped into seven "colleges", each representing a specific interest group, eg supplier of materials and products. Original fears of BRE's privatisation concerned its continued independence and reputation as an authoritative and impartial organisation.