Former Grenfell Inquiry panellist Thouria Istephan has been appointed as the new interim chief construction adviser.
In Tuesday’s second progress report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 recommendations, the government revealed that the registered health and safety practitioner ─ who has decades of experience as a practising architect ─ will take on the role for a 12-month period until September 2026.
The chief construction advisor role was originally created in 2009 to provide cross-departmental coordination and leadership on UK construction policy.
It was discontinued in 2015 but a recommendation in Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s report following the Grenfell fire tragedy will now see it resurrected.
In her role, Istephan will provide expert, independent advice to ministers and the government on building safety and regulatory reform.
“This role enables me to apply my extensive architectural experience, together with insights gained through my work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It represents a unique opportunity to provide independent advice that promotes progressive and proportionate standards,” she said.
“I am committed to playing my part in addressing the devastating consequences of past failures ─ on people, on the environment, and on the innocent lives lost ─ as well as the enduring emotional and financial burdens that so many continue to face.”
Istephan’s appointment comes a year after she made a heartfelt speech at the launch of the final Grenfell Inquiry report, telling bereaved families and survivors that the inquiry’s work had “left a mark” on her.
She warned at the time: “Put simply, if you work in the construction industry and you do not feel the weight of responsibility you have for keeping people safe, you are in the wrong job.”
Istephan added: “The change we need to bring about is partly about structures and regulations… but the necessary change is also one of culture and behaviours.
“Change on this scale needs to be owned and led by those of us working in the sector. It is not enough to pass an act of parliament and to sit back and think the work is done without change in behavior and a recognition that the needs of the people who use our buildings must be placed at the centre of our work.”
The latest report, which outlines the progress of the panel’s 58 recommendations ─ 28 related to the construction industry ─ said it expects it will take four years for them to be implemented.
Building safety minister Samantha Dixon said Istephan “brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to public service that will bring valuable insight and meaningful change to building safety in this country”.
She added: “Her work will drive the transformation needed to restore trust and improve safety, accountability and confidence across the sector.”
Before Istephen’s work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel, she spent decades at international design and architectural practices, where she held senior roles including construction design management manager and partner and technical design deputy across major projects and sectors.
The government said she will help guide reform until a permanent role is established next year.
Earlier this year, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced it would be creating a single construction regulator and implementing a new fast-track process for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to speed up decisions, and would also be recruiting more staff.
Its plans to bring in new leadership to the BSR has seen the appointment of Andy Roe, the former London Fire Brigade commissioner, to the role of non-executive chair of a new MHCLG shadow board. This is pending the establishment of a new body to take on the functions of the BSR from the Health and Safety Executive.
Nicola Harley
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