Regulator appoints new leaders to Building Advisory Committee

Building Safety Regulator announces BAC leadership changes

The Building Advisory Committee has appointed Dr Barbara Lane as Independent Chair and Dr Hywel Davies OBE as Deputy Chair in a leadership change linked to the Building Safety Regulator.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) announced the appointments and said Dr Lane is the first Independent Chair of the Building Advisory Committee (BAC).

Dr Lane is a Fellow of Arup and a chartered senior engineering executive with 30 years’ experience across sectors in the built environment.

She served as an expert witness for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 from 2017 to 2024.

Dr Davies has served on the BAC since it was created and is Head of Technical Insight at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

He also chaired the BAC’s predecessor body, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, from 2020 to 2023.

Committee transition and advisory role

BSR said the appointments mark the start of a transition for the committee as it continues its advisory role alongside the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) and the Statutory Residents’ Panel.

Dr Lane and Dr Davies are liaising with BSR as the leadership transition progresses.

The committee’s strategic direction is being considered as part of work to align it with BSR.

The Statutory Residents’ Panel is recruiting its own Independent Chair.

Comments on the Regulator appointments

Dr Lane 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 and remedy the shortcomings exposed in our building standards to protect and improve the lives of millions throughout the country.”

Dr Davies said: “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.”

Charlie Pugsley, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BSR, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome both Dr Lane and Dr Davies to their new roles on the Building Advisory Committee.

“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.

“Their combined knowledge and skills will be invaluable to informing and supporting our mission to ensure safer homes and buildings for all.”

The committee is considering its strategic direction as the leadership transition continues.