The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the appointment of a Chief Inspector of Buildings to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
new building safety regulator
Peter Baker, HSE’s current Director of Building Safety and Construction, will take up the post with immediate effect.
The government asked HSE to establish a new building safety regulator in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and following recommendations in the ‘Building a Safer Future’ report by Dame Judith Hackitt.
new responsibilities
Peter Baker will also be the first head of the building control profession, and lead the work
In his role as the Chief Inspector of Buildings, Peter Baker will head up the Building Safety Regulator to deliver the new regime for high-risk buildings, oversee work to increase the competence of all professionals working on buildings and ensure effective oversight of the entire building safety environment.
Peter Baker will also be the first head of the building control profession, and lead the work to provide independent, expert advice to industry, government, landlords, and residents on building safety.
building safety
Peter Baker said, "I am honored to be appointed as the first Chief Inspector of Buildings and for the opportunity to play a lead role in bringing about the biggest change in building safety for a generation."
He adds, "I look forward to working with government, industry, partner regulators, and residents to shape and deliver a world-class risk-based regulatory system for the safety and standards of buildings that residents can have confidence in and that we can all be proud of."
behavioral and cultural change
Since 2017 Peter has led HSE’s involvement in the Government’s Building Safety Programme
Peter has over 30 years’ experience with HSE as an Inspector and in several senior operational posts dealing with a wide range of industry sectors, including the role of HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction. Since 2017 Peter has led HSE’s involvement in the Government’s Building Safety Programme.
Sarah Newton, HSE’s Chair said, "I would like to congratulate Peter on his appointment as the new Chief Inspector of Buildings. Peter has a long track record of working in partnership with industry and other regulators to bring about behavioral and culture change that improves people’s safety. His deep understanding of assessing and managing hazards and risk makes him ideally suited to shape and lead the implementation of the new building safety regime."
establishing a new regime
Dame Judith Hackitt, Independent Adviser to the Government on Building Safety and Chair of the Transition Board, said, "I am delighted to hear of Peter Baker’s appointment as the new Chief Inspector of Buildings."
Dame Judith Hackitt adds, "With his impressive background experience in regulating both Major hazards Industries and Construction, he brings a wealth of experience to this important new role. I very much look forward to working with Peter as the new Building Safety Regulator is established as we move to establish a new regime where people can be confident that their homes are safe and fit for purpose."
comprehensive plan
Minister for Building Safety, Lord Greenhalgh, said, "I welcome the appointment of Peter Baker as the first national Chief Inspector of Buildings. Peter will use his and HSE’s wealth of experience to implement a tougher regulatory regime."
Lord Greenhalgh adds, "I look forward to working with Peter and his team to ramp up engagement with residents and the sector as part of the biggest changes to building safety in a generation, backed by our £5 billion investment to fully fund the cost of replacing unsafe cladding for all leaseholders in residential buildings 18 meters (6 stories) and over in England. We have a comprehensive plan to remove unsafe cladding, support leaseholders, restore confidence to this part of the housing market, and ensure this situation never arises again."
