The Building Safety Act and the built environment - Resources for project professionals

The Building Safety Act (BSA) was announced in 2022 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, with the intention of improving the safety of all buildings – high-rises in particular. After a two-year transition period, the Act came fully into force in April 2024. However, there are still uncertainties and inconsistencies around adherence. For project professionals working in the built environment, understanding the implications of the Act is crucial.

This Association for Project Management (APM) webinar was presented on Monday 12 May. It provided useful expertise and insight into the Building Safety Act, and gave a chance to discuss questions with the expert panel. Among the issues covered were what project professionals need to be aware of, their legal duties, common misconceptions around the Act, and whether the industry is adapting effectively (and consistently). There was a focus on competence requirements and gave the opportunity to hear from two organisations as to how they have implemented the Competence Framework for Project Managers in the Built Environment. The webinar concluded with advice on next steps, including the Government’s response to Grenfell and what professionals should be aware of moving forward.

Webinar resources

The panel of presenters have very kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing.
The webinar recording is now available on Vimeo.

This webinar content is suitable for professionals with any level of experience in the project profession.

In addition, APM has also published a Competence Framework for Project Managers in the Built Environment in England, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This framework was developed by Sector Led Group 7 Project and Programme Management of the Industry Competence Steering Group.

Speaker panel

Gill Hancock, APM Head of Technical Content (Chair)

Gill has extensive experience of delivering complex and complicated projects and programmes, including new product development and business expansion. She also has a wealth of knowledge in designing and developing assessments, standards and competence frameworks.

Gill has led national education initiatives, designed project management qualifications, and played a key role in developing competence standards following the Grenfell Tower disaster. She currently chairs Sector Led Group 7 on project management competence and serves as Vice Chair of the Industry Competence Steering Group.

Leanne Cassella ChPP, Head of Project Management for PPS UK and Ireland, AtkinsRéalis

Leanne is an experienced Regional Director, working in project director leadership roles for the construction industry. Her specialisms include developing career pathways for professional development, contract management, risk management, subcontracting, construction management, procurement and people management. She has a keen interest in the built environment and Building Safety Act.

Leanne is a Fellow of the APM as well as holding Chartered Status with both the APM and CMI. She is an APM volunteer and assessor for the PMQ.

Fredel Gibson, Associate Director, Mace

Fredel is a project manager and Chartered Civil Engineer with experience delivering public sector projects in healthcare, justice, education, and infrastructure. She has led multidisciplinary teams from feasibility to construction, including supporting the delivery of schemes in the New Hospital Programme, the Jersey Hospital Project, and the Department of Health and Social Care’s fast-track Covid lab project. With a strong understanding of public sector work, she specialises in stakeholder engagement, risk management, and programme delivery.

Rosalind Thorpe, Director of Education and Standards, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

Ros Thorpe, CIOB’s Director of Education and Standards, joined the Institute in 2009 as an accreditation officer and took on the role of Head of Education in 2011. Prior to that, Ros worked as a teacher of English and corporate courses manager at the British Council in Moscow, where she lived for 10 years. Ros has a degree in English and a post-graduate diploma in Russian, as well as various teaching qualifications. Ros is a Chartered Member of the CMI. Ros is responsible for managing the Institute’s regulated qualifications and exams, the accreditation process, and maintaining the Institute’s published standards, the Education Framework.