The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has appointed Jon Vanstone as chair of the interim industry competence committee (IICC), which aims to advise on and support the UK government’s work in establishing a building safety regulator (BSR). The industry competence committee (ICC) is one of three advisory committees provided for in the draft Building Safety Bill, which aims to deliver advice to the BSR, and the wider building industry, on all competence-related matters. Accepting the chairship, Jon stated that he is “committed to enabling real collaboration” while in this role.
As chair of the competent persons forum and a member of the building regulations advisory committee, Jon is well placed to bring expert knowledge and advice to this interim forum, supporting the development of a new regulatory framework for safe, sustainable buildings. Dame Judith Hackitt, who led the government’s review on building regulations and fire safety, said: “I was encouraged to hear the strong commitment made by Jon Vanstone on his appointment as chair of the IICC, as he takes up his role in supporting the BSR in delivery of more competent people throughout industry.”
Peter Baker, HSE’s chief inspector of buildings, added: “I welcome Jon Vanstone’s appointment as chair of the IICC. Jon brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the role, and I look forward to working with him and his IICC colleagues in the important mission to improve the behaviour and competence of everyone involved in the safety of buildings and in helping to shape the BSR’s future role.”
Jon has considerable experience in the certification and accreditation areas of construction, and has a direct link to installers through his Certass chairship. He said: “I have a firm belief that the ICC is the best way that the construction industry can develop a consistent approach to raising competency standards that will support the building safety regulator in improving the design, construction and management of buildings to ensure that people can live safely and comfortably in their homes. As chair of the IICC, I am committed to enabling real collaboration to make the delivery of the formal ICC a future reality, whilst supporting the industry so that our new competency standards are effective in delivering the safety throughout the built environment that we should all expect.”
