Behind the Regs

Leadership, Responsibility and the Human Side of the Profession In our second live conversation from the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) headquarters in Northampton, Nader and Jack move from competence and revalidation to leadership, responsibility and how the profession supports its people. They're joined by CABE vice presidents Gary Cass and Veronica Fiori. This isn't leadership as a corporate buzzword. It's about decision-making, owning your choices and creating opportunity. It's also about remembering who buildings are for. In this episode:How Gary and Veronica found their way into building control and CABE, and what people misunderstand about professional leadershipWhat a CABE vice president does behind the scenes, and how members' concerns reach the boardPriorities for their time in office: competence, culture, inclusivity and promoting the professioProfessional ethics and the "granny test" for signing off a buildingKeeping responsibility clear on complex projects, so someone owns the building as a whole and not just its componentHousing, health and the people who use buildings, including Gary's research into how homes affect wellbeingWhy meeting minimum standards isn't the same as building wellInclusion, mentoring and the barriers that still stop new entrants joining and staying in the professionA candid conversation about mental health in construction, including Gary's personal story and Veronica's work as a mental health first aiderA quick-fire round on mentors, asking for help, kindness and what the future of CABE looks likeHow to get involved with CABE, from the regions and committees to board nominationsI've spelled Veronica's surname as "Fiori" from the intro, but the transcript only gives her first name.I left out specific resources, such as the BS suicide-prevention standard and the charities, because Gary wasn't sure of the number.This episode includes a discussion of suicide and mental health. If anything in it affects you, please see the support information in the episode notes. Links and support resources are in the episode notes. Thanks for listening to Behind the Regs.Talk it throughIf you have been affected by the themes discussed, please seek support. The following UK organisations offer helplines and online information to fit with your needs:CABE’s Benevolent Fund is partnered with Anxiety UK anxietyuk.org.uk 03444 775 774 b.link/CABE_benevolentSamaritans samaritans.org 116 123Mates in Mind matesinmind.org 020 3510 5018Lighthouse lighthousecharity.org 0345 605 1956 (UK) 1800 939 122 (Rep of Ireland)Calm thecalmzone.net 0800 58 58 58Mind mental health helplines 0800 689 0880

Our first attempt at taking Behind the Regs on the road. And what a learning experience it was!Today, we're releasing our live podcast recorded at Broste Fest 2026, celebrating 10 years of Broste Rivers Group.This episode brings together six conversations recorded on the conference floor, with Richard Murrell, Samuel Simpson, Marion Parks, David Strachan, David Pidduck and Amy Clulow.We had the opportunity to explore Building Control from different perspectives, discussing early engagement, collaboration, Gateway 2, leadership, career development, apprenticeships and the importance of communication across the construction industry.A huge thank you to all six guests for taking the time to sit down with us, share their experiences and contribute to some genuinely valuable conversations.Now, a little honesty about the recording itself.This was our first attempt at recording a live podcast at an industry event using our own equipment.We arrived with our content creation microphones, plenty of enthusiasm and, as it turned out, a few technical lessons waiting for us!The biggest challenge was audio. With several microphones operating close together in a busy environment, we experienced some echo and overlapping sound that we couldn't completely eliminate during editing.So, a small apology in advance. The audio may not be as crisp and clear as you've become accustomed to with Behind the Regs.But we didn't want those technical imperfections to prevent us from sharing six conversations that deserve to be heard.And that experience taught us something valuable.If we're serious about taking Behind the Regs into more workplaces, conferences and industry events, we need to invest in doing it properly.So that's exactly what we've done.Since this recording, we've invested in professional dynamic microphones, lighting and a fully mobile podcast setup. We've already put that equipment to use during our recent live recordings at CABE headquarters.We're still learning, still improving and still funding this journey ourselves, with some welcome financial support from our sponsor, Plan Checker, towards the equipment.Every opportunity teaches us something, and this one helped shape what Behind the Regs is becoming.A sincere thank you to Gary Cass, Rachel Legood and Esther Davies from Broste Rivers Group for inviting us to Broste Fest and giving us the opportunity to experiment, learn and take another step forward.And to everyone who has supported the podcast, thank you. We genuinely appreciate it.Behind the Regs is now fully mobile, and we'd welcome conversations with other Building Control Bodies, professional associations and organisations interested in hosting a live recording at their offices or industry events anywhere in the UK.🎧 The full ProstFest episode is now available.We hope you enjoy the conversations, even with a little background echo!And we promise, the audio quality in our upcoming live episodes has taken a significant step forward.#BehindTheRegs #BrosteRiversGroup #ProstFest2026 #BuildingControl #BuildingSafety #BuiltEnvironment #ConstructionIndustry #Podcast #LivePodcast #PlanChecker

Passive Fire Protection: Why Early Collaboration and the Right Evidence MatterPassive fire protection is more than choosing a product and sealing an opening. It depends on a tested system, suitable design, coordinated trades, correct installation, inspection, and clear records. In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack and Nader speak with Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire, about what it takes to get those details right.Alec explains how early engagement, ideally before fire stopping becomes a site issue, can help teams avoid redesign, delays, and unnecessary costs. He discusses the role of service penetration planning, the importance of coordinating architects and MEP designers with fire engineers, contractors, installers, and building control, and why a solution that looks straightforward on paper may not be practical to install.The conversation clarifies the difference between a product and a tested, classified system. A product data sheet or an individual fire test report may not, on its own, demonstrate that an installation is suitable for a project. Teams need to understand the complete application, the approved evidence, and how the proposed installation aligns with the relevant wall or floor, services, and required fire performance.Alec also highlights workmanship as a major source of problems. Even when the design and evidence are sound, incorrect installation or poor coordination between trades can undermine the intended performance. His practical advice: agree on the details early, involve the people who will build and inspect the work, and ask for the manufacturer’s detail showing what is being installed and how.Other topics include:How passive fire protection helps protect a building’s structure and contain fire through compartmentationWhy early planning supports stronger gateway submissions and reduces reactive fixesWhere communication commonly breaks down between design teams and site teamsWhy clear terminology matters when discussing fire resistance, test reports, and classified informationThe role of CPD, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing in improving industry understandingHow changing expectations and standards are shaping the future of passive fire protectionAlec’s route into the industry, from military communications and NATO training to technical support, has shaped his focus on making complex information easier to understand and apply. He shares why the industry benefits when teams stay open-minded, ask questions, and move beyond “this is how we’ve always done it.”For anyone working in construction, design, fire safety, installation, or building control, this episode offers a practical reminder: plan together, use the right evidence, and verify that the detail can be delivered correctly on site.Guest: Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire

In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack Calveley and Nader Hassan are joined by Darren Burrell for a thoughtful conversation about competence, consultancy, technical leadership, and where experienced Building Control professionals fit within the current regulatory landscape.Darren brings a broad background across Building Control, quantity surveying, local authority work, NHBC, warranty risk management, technical consultancy, major projects, fire compliance, professional membership, standards work and leadership.The discussion explores what competence really means beyond titles, registration status and CPD records, particularly for professionals who may not always be carrying out restricted functions day to day, but are still using their knowledge and experience to advise design teams, manage risk, support projects, train others and contribute to better outcomes.Topics covered include:• Competence beyond registration alone• Building Control consultancy vs statutory Building Control• RBI status, re-registration and restricted functions• Chartered status and wider professional recognition• Warranty risk, fire compliance and major project experience• The value of technical leadership and mentoring• Whether the industry needs clearer recognition for Building Control consultantsThis episode is not about blurring the line between consultancy and statutory decision-making. It is about understanding how experience, judgement, behaviour, knowledge and responsibility are recognised in a changing Building Control profession.

The construction industry is wider, more surprising, and more open than most people realise. Three women with very different routes into the sector, environmental science, architecture, sales, teaching, and finance, reveal why transferable skills, curiosity, and confidence can matter just as much as following a traditional career path.Stephanie Cox, Gwenno Jones, and Helen Hesketh share how they built careers across contaminated land, development, business, and networking, and why collaboration, communication, and leadership are essential to successful projects.In this episode, you’ll discover how Stephanie moved from geoenvironmental consultancy into leadership, why Gwenno’s architectural background became a strength in development management, and how Helen’s experience in teaching and sales shaped her approach to business, people, and client relationships.The conversation also explores what good leadership looks like in practice from managing risk and making decisions to building trust, supporting teams, and keeping complex multidisciplinary projects moving.The panel discusses the role of Women in Property, how supportive networks create visibility and opportunity, and why mentoring and community are so important for building confidence and encouraging early-career talent.This episode challenges the idea that construction has one “right” route in or one type of leader. If you’ve ever wondered where you might fit in property or construction, or you’re looking for a more honest picture of how the industry really works, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack Calveley and Nader Hassan are joined by architect Níall Hedderman from Real Life Architecture for a practical conversation about home extensions, renovations, planning permission, Building Regulations, and the common mistakes homeowners make before a project even starts.Níall works closely with homeowners across the UK and has built a strong online presence through Real Life Architecture, helping people understand the building process in a clear and accessible way. In this episode, he shares his experience of guiding clients through the early stages of domestic projects and explains why the right professional advice at the right time can save homeowners significant stress, cost and delay.A major theme of the conversation is the difference between planning permission and Building Regulations. Many homeowners assume that once planning approval is granted, the project is ready to build. Níall explains why this is not the case, how the two systems operate separately, and why a design that achieves planning approval may still need to change to satisfy Building Regulations.The episode also explores permitted development, exemptions, garden rooms, loft conversions, home extensions, and the risks of relying on poor advice or online assumptions. Níall warns that “exempt” does not mean safe to ignore, and explains why homeowners should be careful about who they rely on when deciding whether Building Regulations apply.Jack, Nader and Níall also compare the systems in Scotland and England, including the different approaches to Building Control, approval before construction, building notices, private sector Registered Building Control Approvers, and the pressures currently affecting local authority services.Looking ahead, the conversation turns to future standards, including Passive House thinking, higher energy performance expectations, airtightness, insulation, and the increasing complexity facing architects, builders, homeowners and Building Control professionals.Topics covered include:• Planning permission vs Building Regulations• When homeowners should involve Building Control• Why early professional advice is so important• Common misconceptions around home extensions and exemptions• The risks of relying on informal or incorrect advice• Scotland vs England and how the systems differ• Building notices and the challenges they can create• Future energy standards and Passive House principles• Why the right architect, builder and project team make all the differenceThis episode is ideal for homeowners planning building work, architects, designers, builders, surveyors, Building Control professionals, and anyone who wants to better understand how domestic construction projects should be approached from the start.The key message is simple: good projects are rarely built on guesswork. They start with the right advice, at the right time, from the right people.

“The future of Building Control depends on the people we encourage into it today.”In this episode of Behind the Regs, we are joined by Chido Muswere, a Class 2A Registered Building Inspector, for a conversation focused on the journey into Building Control from the perspective of the next generation entering the profession.At a time when the industry continues to discuss resources, competence, and attracting new talent, understanding the experience of those coming through the system is more important than ever.Chido shares his journey:🔹 Discovering Building Control as a career🔹 The LABC training pathway🔹 The importance of mentors and supportive teams🔹 Moving from training into independent inspections🔹 Building confidence and professional judgement🔹 The challenges faced by new inspectors entering the industryBehind every experienced professional was once someone asking questions, learning, and trying to find their place.Building Control is not just about regulations, inspections, and technical knowledge.It is also about people, development, and passing knowledge on to those who will carry the profession forward.A brilliant insight into what it means to start your journey as a Registered Building Inspector.

Recorded live at Sweco’s Building Standards annual training event at The Belfry, this episode of Behind the Regs brings together hosts Jack Calveley and Nader Hassan with two brilliant guests: Paul McSoley and Douglas Masterson.This conversation looks beyond the surface of compliance and asks what building safety really depends on in practice.A certificate, label or product test is only part of the picture. The real outcome depends on the full chain: design intent, specification, product compatibility, test evidence, installation, workmanship, inspection, maintenance and ongoing responsibility.In this live episode, Paul and Douglas explore fire doors, escape doors, architectural ironmongery, building services systems, dampers, penetrations, ventilation, Regulation 7, competence and the importance of evidence that actually supports the installed arrangement.The discussion highlights a central message:Building safety is not created by isolated products or paperwork alone. It is created by the way products, people, systems and evidence come together in the real world.A huge thank you to Sweco and Neil Badley for inviting Behind the Regs to record its first live episode, and to Paul McSoley and Douglas Masterson for bringing such depth, clarity and practical insight to the conversation.

In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack Calveley and Nader Hassan are joined by Adam Wallis and Daniel Knight for a fascinating discussion on communication, collaboration, and the often-overlooked roles that help protect consumers and improve standards across the property industry.The conversation explores the disconnect that can exist between surveyors, damp specialists, mortgage brokers, conveyancers, estate agents, and other professionals involved in property transactions. Adam and Daniel share their experiences of working within these sectors and discuss why greater collaboration and understanding between professions could lead to better outcomes for clients and safer, higher-quality buildings.Topics covered include:• The divide between the damp industry and the wider residential sector• Why communication between professionals is often lacking• The role of surveyors in property transactions• Common misconceptions about surveying and specialist inspections• The risks of relying solely on minimum standards• How better collaboration can improve outcomes for consumers• Lessons from industry experience and practical examplesThis episode is a reminder that no profession operates in isolation, and that some of the best outcomes are achieved when specialists work together, share knowledge, and focus on the bigger picture.Whether you're a surveyor, building inspector, contractor, estate agent, designer, or property owner, this conversation offers valuable insight into the importance of communication across the built environment.

Navigating the Building Control Landscape: Insights from John MilesLearn about the journey of John Miles in building control, his insights on public vs. private sectors, and the importance of collaboration in ensuring safe buildings.In the complex world of construction and building regulations, understanding the nuances of building control can be crucial for ensuring safety and compliance. In this post, we explore the insights of John Miles, a seasoned professional in the field, as he shares his journey and key learnings from his experiences across both public and private sectors.About John MilesJohn Miles has a rich background in building control, embarking on his journey in the mid-90s. With a degree in building surveying from Sheffield Hallam University, he has worked in various capacities within different organisations, including local councils and private firms. His current role as a consultant at Hounsler Council in London allows him to integrate his extensive knowledge with practical applications in the field.The Shift from Private to Public SectorJohn’s transition from the private sector to local authority work has been enlightening. He emphasises that working in the public sector offers a more holistic approach to building control. Unlike the private sector, where roles can be more siloed, the public sector fosters collaboration across departments. This interconnectedness is vital in addressing issues like substandard housing and ensuring that building regulations are followed.Key Takeaway: Holistic Approaches Matter- Why it matters:A holistic approach ensures that safety is prioritised, as building control professionals collaborate to address various issues.- Common mistake: Relying solely on regulations without considering broader implications can lead to safety oversights.The Importance of Collaboration in Building ControlOne of John’s significant insights is the need for collaboration within the building control sector. He reflects on the lessons learned from the recent struggles of Ascent, highlighting that no organization is too big to fail. The industry must work together to ensure safety and compliance, sharing knowledge and resources effectively.Key Takeaway: No One is Too Big to Fail- Why it matters: The construction sector must recognize the importance of collaboration and community responsibility to prevent failures.- Common mistake: Underestimating the value of cooperative relationships can lead to significant risks and oversights.Lessons from Structural WarrantiesJohn discusses his experience with structural warranties, noting the differing risk appetites between warranty providers and building regulations. He stresses that achieving the minimum standards is not enough; the industry should strive for excellence in construction practices.Key Takeaway: Striving for Excellence- Why it matters: Building to minimum standards can lead to compromised safety and quality.- Common mistake: Assuming that meeting regulations alone guarantees safety and quality in construction.Key Takeaways from John Miles- Collaboration is crucial: Building control professionals must work together across sectors to enhance public safety.- Understand your role: Recognising the broader implications of your work is essential for effective building control.- Aim for more than minimums: Strive for high standards in construction to ensure safety and longevity.In conclusion, John Miles’ insights highlight the importance of collaboration, a holistic approach, and striving for excellence in the building control sector. As professionals, we must remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring that our buildings are not just compliant but safe and sustainable for future generations.