Salix Homes Building Safety Director appointed to Building Advisory Committee

Salix Homes’ Building Safety Director has been appointed to the newly-established Building Advisory Committee (BAC), set up as part of the Government’s reforms of building safety.

Paul Mooney is one of just 13 representatives from across the built environment appointed to sit on the BAC, which will advise and inform the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in its important mission to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise buildings, as well as the Regulator’s other roles including keeping the safety and standards of all buildings under review.

Mr Mooney has worked at Salix Homes for five years, taking up the role of Building Safety Director in 2021. His new appointment is independent from his role at Salix Homes.

Mr Mooney said: “It’s a real privilege to be appointed to the new Building Advisory Committee. As the representative from the social housing sector, I look forward to sharing my own knowledge and experience to champion building safety culture change across the built environment.

“Building safety is a continuous journey and the establishment of the BAC marks the next important step in driving up safety standards and ensuring the safety of residents remains the highest priority during the design, construction, refurbishment, management and occupation of residential buildings.”

The BAC was established under the Building Safety Act 2022 as part of the Government’s reforms of building safety. The reforms are designed to create lasting change and make it clear how residential buildings should be constructed, maintained and managed so that residents are safe and feel safe.

The BAC’s inaugural meeting was chaired by the Health and Safety Executive’s Chief Inspector of Buildings, Peter Baker, who said: “BAC’s function is to support the Building Safety Regulator in its important work to protect residents and users of high-rise buildings, identify new and emerging risks affecting the safety and standards of all buildings, and to help develop sensible and proportionate solutions.

“Establishing the Building Advisory Committee is another important milestone for the Building Safety Regulator and the introduction of the new, more stringent building safety regime following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

Mr Mooney’s appointment to the BAC comes after Salix Homes was announced as one of the first organisations to complete the first stage of a new building safety accreditation scheme. 

Salix Homes is one of just two social housing providers to have completed the Leadership and Culture module of the new building safety culture change programme, established by the Building a Safer Future organisation in response to the Grenfell tragedy.