Composizione del gruppo di esperti indipendenti per il controllo dell'edilizia Composizione del gruppo di esperti indipendenti per il controllo dell'edilizia

On April 24, the government announced the appointment of five members to the Building Control Independent Panel.

This decision fulfills a recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which the government has accepted, to establish a panel that will review the current methods of delivering building control in England.

The panel will be led by Dame Judith Hackitt, whose guidance during the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety has significantly influenced key reforms in the sector. A professional engineer, Dame Judith also acts as an adviser on building standards to both the UK and Australian Governments, and is a member of the International Building Quality Council (IBQC). Joining her are four specialists with extensive knowledge of building control regulation and practices: Elaine Bailey, Ken Rivers, Rt Hon Nick Raynsford, and Dr. David Snowball.

The combined expertise of the panel members will facilitate a comprehensive and independent evaluation of the existing building control model, considering the Inquiry’s recommendations regarding commercial incentives within the system and exploring alternative approaches. The panel is anticipated to submit a report to the government this autumn.

Minister for Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, stated:  

“The formation of this independent panel marks a crucial advancement in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. We require a building control system that prioritizes safety and enhances our efforts to expedite remediation. Additionally, it must assist in delivering 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes during this Parliament and be prepared to meet the challenges of a modern construction industry.”

“The work of this panel will be pivotal in fostering a safer, more accountable building industry, and I eagerly await their recommendations as they move forward with this important task.”

The Chair of the Building Control Independent Panel, Dame Judith Hackitt, remarked:  

“The panel is poised to begin its important review.  We will work promptly while approaching this matter with an open mind and a commitment to elevating standards.”

Background on the Building Control System   

The primary role of the building control system is to ensure that key safety standards established by legislation are upheld, verifying that buildings are safe in critical areas such as fire and structural safety. In light of concerns arising from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, particularly regarding conflicts of interest in the system, a new panel has been formed to evaluate the necessity of potential changes.   

Notes to Editors  

• The announcement regarding the establishment of the panel was made in the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry on February 26, 2025.  

• The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended the creation of an independent panel to assess the possibility of removing commercial interests from building control and considering a transition to a national authority decision model.  

• The panel’s role is both advisory and independent, with a goal of delivering a report to the Government in the autumn and a response by the end of the year.  

• Further updates, including the panel’s Terms of Reference, will be made available on GOV.UK soon.  

Panel Members:

Elaine Bailey  

Elaine Bailey serves on the Industry Safety Steering Group and previously held the CEO position of Hyde Housing from 2014 to 2019. She has multiple non-executive directorships, including at MJ Gleeson plc, a housing developer in the North and Midlands; McCarthy & Stone Shared Ownership (MCSSO), a for-profit registered provider of housing for older individuals with a strategic partnership with Homes England; and Andium Housing, which is the largest provider of sub-market value homes for rent and purchase in Jersey.  

Ken Rivers  

Ken is a non-executive director at the HSE and is also a member of the Industry Safety Steering Group. He previously chaired the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations Strategic Forum, leading collaboration between industry and regulators to tackle crucial issues related to the management of major hazards in the UK. Ken worked at Shell for 38 years in numerous roles and served as President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.  

Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP  

Nick Raynsford was a Labour MP for 24 years, during which he held various positions, including Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Minister for Construction, Minister for London, and Minister of State for Local and Regional Government, with responsibilities including the Fire and Rescue Service. Since leaving Parliament, he has taken on numerous advisory and non-executive roles in the private, voluntary, and public sectors, including chairing CICAIR (CIC Approved Inspectors Register), which oversees private sector building control bodies until April 2024. He is also a member of the New Towns Taskforce, collaborating with MHCLG.   

Dr. David Snowball  

David dedicated his career to the Health and Safety Executive, entering as a Factory Inspector in 1984 and retiring 35 years later. He held senior positions in operational divisions, overseeing intervention and enforcement, and was responsible for ensuring the quality of operational work as Director of Regulation. He served as Acting Chief Executive for 15 months prior to his retirement. Currently, he is a member of the Industry Safety Steering Group alongside Dame Judith and serves as a non-executive director at the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (since February 2022).