Building Safety Regulator appoints permanent director and publishes three-year strategic plan

[edit] Philip White confirmed by HSE as permanent Director of Building Safety

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed Philip White's appointment as Director of Building Safety (DoBS) on a permanent basis. White has been leading the work to fully establish the BSR in HSE since taking over from Peter Baker in April 2023.

As HSE's DoBS, Philip will continue to perform the duties of the Chief Inspector of Buildings, working closely with BSR's statutory industry and resident committees to ensure both industry and residents are heard at the heart of the new regime.

His responsibilities include keeping the building safety programme on course to deliver against agreed timelines and milestones, including championing the need for culture change in industry and highlighting the need for collective responsibility to improve building safety.

The BSR will become fully operational next year.

[edit] BSR sets out its first strategic plan to drive positive change for building safety in England.

The strategic plan sets out how the BSR will carry out its building safety functions in England in the first three years of operation – April 2023 to March 2026.

It aims to keep a focus on the priorities to deliver the new building safety regime. It will be kept under review, especially after the publication of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.

The Building Safety Regulator’s Strategic Plan is required under Section 17 of the Building Safety Act 2022. The Strategic Plan has been consulted on with the Residents’ Panel and agreed by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

[edit] Comments on the strategic plan

Commenting in the foreword to the strategic plan, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said:

“The system that regulates our buildings must be practical and comprehensible. The Regulator must lead the sector in creating a built environment fit for the future. This first three-year strategic plan is a significant moment in this mission. It looks forward and lays out a solid foundation on which the Regulator can build its ambition in future years."

Philip White, HSE’s Director of Building Safety, said:

“This strategic plan sets out the guiding principles we have put in place to keep us focused on our priorities in delivering the new regime, and we will keep it under continuous review. We will ensure we have the right capability and capacity to meet this challenge as our remit continues to evolve, working with others sharing knowledge, expertise, and data."

“Our focus is clear and resolute as we oversee a culture of higher standards, putting

building safety first. Our regulatory activities will be conducted in a way which is transparent, accountable, proportionate, and consistent."

“Throughout the next three years, BSR will continue to work across all sectors to ensure that those working in the building sector engage fully with the new regime. Our aim is that people will see fundamental changes to the safety and standard of all buildings and increased competency among industry professionals that raises those standards year on year.”

The BSR’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 is available to view here

This article appears on the CIAT news and blog site as "Building Safety Regulator publishes three-year strategic plan“ and “HSE appoints Building Safety Regulator“ dated November 28 and 30, 2023, consecutively.

--CIAT

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