The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has announced the appointment of a new chair and deputy chair to its Building Advisory Committee (BAC).
Dr Barbara Lane is a Fellow of Arup and a chartered senior engineering executive with 30 years’ experience in the built environment. She becomes BAC’s first independent chair.
Dr Hywel Davies OBE, joins as deputy chair and has served on the committee since its inception. He is currently head of technical insight at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
He previously chaired BAC’s predecessor body, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, from 2020 to 2023.
Important transition
The appointments signify the start of an important transition for the committee, as it aims to enhance its role as a key source of advice and support to the BSR, alongside two other working groups: the Industry Competence Committee (ICC), chaired by Jon Vanstone; and the Statutory Residents’ Panel, which is currently in the process of recruiting its own independent chair.
It is understood that both Lane and Davies are already working closely with the BSR to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Lane, who served as an expert witness during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 from 2017 to 2024, said: “Taking on this independent role is part of my ongoing commitment to create a safe and equitable built environment, one that works for everyone. I believe that the committee can be a powerful force for good across the sector, building on the harsh lessons learnt from the Grenfell fire.
“My aim is to try to remedy the shortcomings exposed in our building standards to protect and improve the lives of millions throughout the country.”
Davies added: “I am pleased to be appointed deputy chair, supporting Dr Lane in her new role. The committee has a critical role to play supporting BSR in its work to improve the building safety regime, identify risks to building users, and provide consistent and timely standards and guidance that can meet the complex challenges we face today.”
Wealth of expertise
Charlie Pugsley, acting chief executive officer at the BSR, welcomed the pair. “Together they bring a wealth of expertise garnered from successful careers working in the built environment and will make a real difference to the positive impact of BSR, the committee and regimes under the Building Safety Act,” he said.
“Their combined knowledge and skills will be invaluable to informing and supporting our mission to ensure safer homes and buildings for all.”
