The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has appointed Philip White to lead the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on a permanent basis.
White, the HSE’s director of building safety, took over as interim head of the BSR when former boss Peter Baker retired in April this year. Baker had led the BSR since February 2021, having previously been director of safety and building construction at the HSE.
Mr White said: “We have already achieved a lot in establishing the BSR, including successfully meeting crucial milestones and agreed deadlines, but there is more to deliver.
“I hope that my permanent appointment will ensure that the BSR program has the continuity of leadership it will need at a vital stage in the development of the new regulatory regime.”
White has worked for HSE for almost 40 years, joining as a factory inspector in 1985. He has held other senior roles including head of HSE’s operational strategy division and inspector head of construction
The BSR, which sits at the HSE, was created by the Building Safety Act 2022. In October it was tasked with regulating high-risk buildings, defined as those with two or more units residential and at least 18 meters or seven stories high.
The BSR published its first strategic report earlier this week.
In September, Construction news reported that the role of Chief Building Inspector was still being advertised days before the new building safety regime came into effect. The job was advertised with a salary of £120,000.
From April next year, the BSR will take over responsibility for registering building inspectors and approving building control. It will also begin calling buildings for valuation and issuing Building Valuation Certificates.
In a statement, the HSE said: “Philip’s extensive regulatory experience and proven leadership will be vital to the success of the BSR in the coming years, ensuring that the strength of the HSE continues to be exercised in the creating an effective regulator fit for purpose for the future”.
