Safety, Quality and Productivity - Chief Construction & Scientific Adviser and New Minister in place

Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University’s School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, has been appointed as the Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser (CCSA) on a three-year term.  

MHCLG says the CCSA will provide ‘independent construction, engineering and scientific advice on the safety, quality and resilience of buildings, as well as on productivity across the built environment sector.’

The CCSA will also support the delivery of the remaining Grenfell Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reform, acting as a bridge between government, regulators, industry, professional and trade bodies, academia, and residents. 

Professor Sergio Cavalaro is a civil engineer with a PhD in construction engineering. Notably, he played a central role in the structural evaluations of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), advancing the sector’s understanding, informing measures to keep hospitals operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributing to the subsequent national response.

As of July this year, the Minister for Building Safety, Fire, and Resilience has been Baroness Blake of Leeds CBE, who said of the outgoing interim CCSA Thouria Istephan :

‘The interim Chief Construction Adviser has played a pivotal role in shaping our reforms over the last 12 months, helping ensure safety, robust regulation, and high standards are at the core of the built environment sector.

The government is committed to making sure everyone has trust that their home is safe and built to a high standard, and the upcoming Remediation Bill will ensure landlords deliver on their responsibility to fix unsafe buildings. ‘ 

As Minister, Baroness Blake is now responsible for:

• Building safety, regulations, Building Safety Regulator, and remediation 
• Grenfell Inquiry response 
• Fire policy and operations 
• Grenfell Community, Tower, and Memorial 
• Net Zero and energy efficiency 
• Resilience, recovery, and emergencies 
• Government Spokesperson for Equalities
• Planning casework