Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser appointed to improve building safety

The government appointed Professor Sergio Cavalaro as Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser (CCSA) to provide independent advice on building safety and regulatory reform. Cavalaro, a Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University, will serve a three-year term in a role created to implement recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report. The position sits within the government’s scientific adviser network, reflecting the critical role of construction and scientific expertise in improving building safety standards.

The CCSA will advise on the safety, quality, and resilience of buildings while supporting productivity across the built environment sector. Cavalaro will collaborate with regulators, industry bodies, academia, and residents to deliver remaining Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reforms. He will work full-time, beginning with a handover period alongside the Interim Chief Construction Adviser, Thouria Istephan.

The Building Safety Levy, introduced on 1 October 2026, applies to new residential developments over 10 units and purpose-built student accommodation. The levy is expected to raise approximately £3.4 billion over a decade to fund remediation of dangerous cladding and other building safety defects, protecting leaseholders and taxpayers.

Cavalaro’s appointment follows an open Civil Service recruitment process. His expertise includes structural evaluations of RAAC, contributions to pandemic-era hospital safety measures, and leadership in modern construction methods. The Building Safety Regulator welcomed his appointment, highlighting his extensive experience in the built environment.