Building control head wins Superstar award

Bury Council’s head of building control has won a regional award from his peers in the industry.

Rob Thorpe was chosen as the North West Superstar byLABC, which represents all local authority council building control teams in England and Wales.

LABC members work with building owners, architects, developers, contractors and other professionals to ensure buildings are safe, healthy and efficient to meet the standards set by the building regulations.

Rob started work with Bury Council in June 1975 as a trainee building control officer, rising to his current position as department head. “It’s a real surprise, but I’m delighted,” he said. “I lead a fantastic team, and this award is as much a tribute to their hard work as mine.”

Building control is responsible for a range of vital services, such as ensuring the safety of buildings and sports grounds, and working with the emergency services at times of crisis, such as during the Boxing Day floods in 2015.

David Fowler, assistant director (localities) at Bury Council, said: “Rob is an excellent head of building control who leads by example; a man of hard work and integrity who can be called and relied upon at any hour. This award is well deserved.”

Richard Scott, chair of the judging panel and LABC president, said: “It’s clear we have managers, surveyors and support teams who are delivering an excellent service, going that extra mile to ensure our customers’ expectations are met and often exceeded.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 April 2017.

Picture: Rob Thorpe receives his Superstar award from LABC president Richard Scott.

Note to editors:

LABC is the member organisation representing local authority building control departments in England and Wales. Its membership includes over 3,000 professional surveyors and support technicians and has a 70% market share of building control in these sectors: domestic conversions and improvements; new homes and apartments; commercial offices, workshops, industrial and warehouses; education; healthcare; care homes; retail; leisure and entertainment; and stadiums.

LABC promotes the design and construction of buildings that are safe, healthy, accessible and environmentally efficient to comply with the Building Regulations. LABC builds awareness of local authority building control amongst the public, developers, designers and contractors. It also works with government, trade organisations, manufacturers, distributors, research establishments, test houses and professional institutions to support innovation in building. For more information please visit LABC website: www.labc.co.uk