APM Honorary Fellow to lead major government safety review

APM Honorary Fellow Paul Morrell OBE has been appointed to lead a panel of independent experts on a review of how the safety of construction products is tested.

Morrell, who was the government’s first chief construction advisor under Gordon Brown and David Cameron, will lead the independent review alongside legal expert Anneliese Day QC.

The review will focus on how to strengthen the current system for testing construction products to provide confidence that these materials are safe and perform as marketed.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, appointed Morrell to chair the review after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry exposed evidence of potential gaming of the system by some manufacturers.

Mr Jenrick said: “The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has heard deeply concerning suggestions that some construction product manufacturers may have gamed the system for testing these materials and compromised the safety of residents.

“We are taking these allegations very seriously and will await the Inquiry’s final recommendations - but it is clear that action is needed now to ensure products used on buildings always meet the highest safety standards.

“I am pleased to appoint Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day QC to lead this independent review of the system for testing construction products that will build on the significant progress we have already made to make buildings safer.”