The Watford-based research firm will open a Beijing office at the end of the year

The BRE is set to advise the Chinese Government on future environmental standards. The Watford-based construction research body will open a Beijing office at the end of the month.

The expansion is part of chief executive, Peter Bonfield’s, plan to double the size of the organisation. He announced his intention when taking the helm of the BRE a year ago.

The BRE is also planning to redevelop its 80-acre site Watford to pay for the venture. Early suggestions for the strategy include putting the BRE into higher density buildings, creating a technology park and selling off some of the site for housing.

But some in the industry think the BRE is spreading its expertise too thinly. A senior industry source said: “The BRE brand is so strong, there are no shortage of business opportunities – the question is which one they should focus on.”

To read Thomas Lane’s interview with Peter Bonfield in this weeks issue of Building, go here.

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