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.
The government asked the 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.
In his role, Peter will head up the BSR to deliver the new regime for high-risk buildings, oversee work to increase competence of all professionals working on buildings and ensure effective oversight of the entire building safety environment.
He 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.
Peter has over 30 years’ experience with the HSE as an inspector and in a few senior operational posts dealing with a wide range of industry sectors. Since 2017, Peter has led the HSE’s involvement in the government’s Building Safety Programme.
Speaking about his new role, Peter said: “I am honoured to be appointed 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.”
Dame Judith Hackitt, independent adviser to the government on building safety, said: “I am delighted to hear of Peter’s appointment. 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 him as the new Building Safety Regulator is established, and as we move to establish a new regime where people can be confident that their homes are safe and fit for purpose.”
