Loughborough university professor appointed as next chief construction adviser

The government has appointed a professor at Loughborough University as its new chief construction and scientific adviser.

Sergio Cavalaro, professor of infrastructure systems at Loughborough’s School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, has been appointed to the role on a three-year term.

He will replace Thouria Istephan, a former partner at Foster + Partners, who has held the position on a 12-month interim basis at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) since September last year.

Cavalaro is a civil engineer with extensive knowledge of international regulatory systems who started his career as a PHD fellow at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona.

He moved to Loughborough University in 2017 and played a key role in the UK government’s evaluations of buildings containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

The job was a key recommendation in the final report into the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in June 2017.

It is described by the government as a strategic role within a wider network of scientific advisers across government in recognition of the importance of both the construction and scientific sectors to building safety reform.

Cavalaro will provide independent construction, engineering and scientific advice on the safety, quality and resilience of buildings, as well as on productivity across the built environment sector.  

He will also support the delivery of the remaining Grenfell Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reform, acting as a bridge between government, regulators, industry, professional and trade bodies, academia and residents.  

Cavalaro said: “I am delighted to join MHCLG as chief construction and scientific adviser. I am committed to working with the Building Safety Regulator and across the wider sector to improve the safety, quality, resilience and productivity of the built environment.  

“I look forward to providing independent advice and constructive challenge, while contributing to cross-government priorities through the network of Chief Scientific Advisers.”

MHCLG minister for building safety, fire and resilience Judith Blake said Cavalaro “will play a vital role in shaping our reforms to ensure safety, robust regulation and high standards are at the core of the built environment sector.” 

Building Safety Regulator chair Andy Roe added: “We welcome the appointment of Sergio to this critical role. I look forward to engaging him in the work of the BSR so that we can benefit from his extensive experience in the built environment.” 

The appointment comes five days after the start of the Building Safety Levy, a tax on most new residential developments of 10 units which came into force on 1 October.

The levy aims to ensure developers contribute to the remediation of unsafe buildings including the removal of combustible cladding, which was found to be the primary cause of the spread of flame at Grenfell Tower.

It is expected to raise around £3.4bn over the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, in its latest data update the BSR said that for the 12 week period to 5 October overall gateway 2 application approvals stood at 87%, up from 84%, meaning nearly 20,500 residential units were now able to start.

Over the same period, existing building remediation approvals also climbed to 87% nationally, up from 32% for the previous year, with the figure 96% in London.