Rethink, Reset, and Take Responsibility: key Takeaways from the NBS Construction Leaders’ Summit

• Dame Judith Hackitt, Previous Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, delivered a keynote speech on the new building safety regime, and why it’s time for the industry to rethink, reset, and take responsibility.
• She said: “A fundamental culture change is needed in the industry and we are starting to see it happen. This is about taking responsibility and demonstrating that buildings are safe and fit for purpose to rebuild the trust and reputation which has been lost.”

Today, senior leaders from across the construction industry gathered at the 2023 Construction Leaders’ Summit, bringing together some of the most important voices in building safety and sustainability.

Hosted by construction data experts, NBS, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, the event kicked off with a deep-dive into the issue of safety in construction and an update on the sector’s progress on implementing a ‘golden thread’ of information – an idea first announced at NBS’ conference in 2020.  

Speaking at the event, Dame Judith Hackitt, Previous Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, said: “We now have a clear, systems-based approach to improving regulatory compliance and information sharing.  Competence, accountability, and responsibility are now being placed at the heart of building processes.

“This means changing the way we plan, design, and deliver buildings and it starts with a culture overhaul to encourage real ownership – overseen by a regulator with powers to impose serious sanctions for those who continue to try and game the system.

“To make this happen, it’s no longer enough to focus simply on complying with rules. Those who continue to wait for rounds of secondary regulation are missing the point… Now is the time for the industry to pull up its boots and deliver quality buildings that can withstand the test of time. Feeling safe in a home, workplace or school is a basic human right and the construction industry has a responsibility to deliver it – let’s make sure this new system works.”

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