The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has appointed a chief inspector of buildings to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Peter Baker, the HSE’s current director of building safety and construction, will take up the post with immediate effect.
Baker will head up the Building Safety Regulator to deliver the new regime for high risk buildings, oversee work to increase competence of all professionals working on buildings, and ensure oversight of the entire building safety environment. He will also be the first head of the building control profession.
Baker said: “I am honoured 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. 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.”
He has 30 years’ experience with the HSE and previously held the role of HSE’s chief inspector of construction. Since 2017, he has led HSE’s involvement in the government’s Building Safety Programme.
The creation of the role comes after 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.
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 behavioural 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.”
Dame Judith Hackitt added: “I am delighted to hear of Peter Baker’s appointment as the new chief inspector of buildings. 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.”
