Independent report

​​Final report from the interim Chief Construction Adviser

Published 10 September 2026

Applies to England

Following the Statement from the interim Chief Construction Adviser I issued earlier in my term, I am today, 10 September 2026, issuing a final report as interim Chief Construction Adviser (CCA). Progress has been made since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, but we cannot forget the loss of 72 innocent lives and the effect this has had on the bereaved families, the survivors and the immediate community. There is further work to do, and everyone has a part to play.

Through my term, I have advised ministers and officials within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), as well as engaging extensively with industry. I have seen how many are committed to improving the safety of the built environment and recognise that improving building safety is good for business and will help improve confidence. Equally, I recognise that the regulatory reform required is not complete and there are parts of industry that need to go further. This is reflected in the Industry Safety Steering Group’s fifth report.

In looking forward, I urge everyone to consider what more they can do, from government to clients, from manufacturers to professionals. In delivering new buildings, cost and programme are of course important, but so is safety. Integral to delivering quality in buildings is that they are safe for those who live in and occupy them. This cannot be compromised and we must all hold ourselves accountable. Accountability means that we all accept our duty to make buildings safe and take action to do this.

As we move forward, we must remain vigilant. Too many people live in unsafe buildings and there remain significant safety risks in the built environment. We must continue to monitor risks and learn from near miss events, as well as continue to push for buildings to be made safe. I encourage anyone in the built environment where they see safety risks to raise them and to take action.

Below in this statement I set out what actions I have taken on my priorities, which are:

• reform of regulation for construction products
• standards for the construction of buildings and professionals involved in construction
• how evidence is gathered and learning from near misses
• assisting with the development of the permanent Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser (CCSA) role

Reform of regulation for construction products

Recognising the evidence of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which found ‘systematic dishonesty on the part of those who made and sold the rainscreen cladding panels and insulation products’, I have engaged closely with officials and industry on construction product reform. As stated by the government, there is urgent need for reform across the construction products regime and there is clear support for reform across the sector.

I have been pleased through my term to provide advice to officials on the Construction Products White Paper and will now look on from the outside on how this progresses. As the White Paper sets out, there are key areas to improve, including but not limited to: testing and certification, product information and strengthening of standards. In my capacity as interim CCA, I attended a visit with the Building Safety Minister to the Tata Steel Building Systems UK site in Shotton on 18 May.

Standards for the construction of buildings, and for professionals involved in construction

Throughout my term, a key theme has been considering where we can go further in raising standards but do so in an efficient, proportionate and progressive way. In my term, the government has announced the Call for evidence: Strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations, a prospectus for the single construction regulator, as well as other more specific measures. These include reforms to the Building Assessment Certificates regime, as well as changes to the building regulations.

To deliver long-lasting change, changes to standards and better, smarter regulation will go some way to improve competence and confidence. Yet, as well as this, behaviours will be an essential factor in a functioning safety culture in the built environment. It is important that all those who operate in the built environment are curious and hold themselves accountable for improving their performance. This includes ensuring that you are competent to perform your duties. This starts at the top through clients and funders, who often set the tone on projects, but also extends to all those who work in the built environment. I have spoken at several industry events including but not limited to the UK Real Estate and Investment Forum, the Tall Buildings Summit, and Housing 26 where I have made this argument.

How evidence is gathered and learning from near misses

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry found evidence of many opportunities for the government to identify the risk posed by combustible cladding and insulation and to take action. Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the government has taken action including the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator and Section 5 of the Building Safety Act designed to better manage risks in the built environment.

In my role as interim CCA, I have advised officials both in MHCLG and in the Building Safety Regulator on how risk is managed and escalated. I have also engaged with industry including through expert panels in Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK). CROSS-UK is a confidential reporting system for industry professionals, and I encourage those working in the built environment to report fire and structural issues to it. Ultimately, we must be constantly vigilant. Too many people live in unsafe buildings. We must address this, as well as make sure that regulations appropriately respond to any safety risks that emerge.

In responding to risk, we must watch out particularly for several risk factors. This includes the height of buildings but also goes beyond it, with factors such as the presence of sleeping accommodation and vulnerable residents in a building influencing any response.

Supporting the development of the permanent CCSA role

In taking on this role, my intention was to help establish expert, independent and technical advice within MHCLG on building safety and regulatory reform to advise the Secretary of State and the Building Safety Minister. I have helped establish processes within the department which I hope will be helpful to my future successor as Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser. I remain of the firm belief that as the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, this role is important to ensure the Secretary of State and minister can turn to someone who has a good working knowledge and practical experience of the construction industry. The role will now also combine scientific advice, with the CCSA being part of the wider scientific adviser network across government.

Conclusion

I would like to thank all of those both within MHCLG and government as well as wider industry and resident groups who have engaged with me as interim CCA. I would also like to thank Samantha Dixon for her engagement with me as Building Safety Minister. A special thank you to my office who have worked tirelessly to help me establish the role. Many have been very generous with their time and shared their knowledge in open and frank discussion. It has been a privilege to serve in this role.

Both now and forever, the death of 72 innocent people in the Grenfell Tower fire is a tragedy that will always remain in my heart. We must never forget them.