Introduction to the Building Safety Act

Hywel leads the technical and policy development work of the Institution, particularly focussed on the ongoing development of the Building Regulations and implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and other construction related Regulations, Directives, Codes and Standards.

He is also part of the CIBSE team working on the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM), particularly as it is related to the mechanical and electrical sectors. He has an interest in building services systems and cyber-security, and is leading for CIBSE on a joint project with ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, which seeks to raise awareness of the importance of cyber-security in the design, installation and operation of building systems, and the implications of the “internet of things” for the security of systems

Laura Mansel-Thomas began her career in engineering as a Design Engineer at WRc plc in 1993. After completing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College, London, specializing in the treatment of toxic industrial wastewaters, she joined Max Fordham and Partners in 1996. Early projects included a number of schemes for Churchill College, Cambridge, designing warm air and district heating systems from first principles.

In 1999 Laura moved to Atelier Ten as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, where she stayed until 2010. She spent many years as project engineer for the low energy Sloane Robinson Building at Keble College and the refurbishment of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and became an Associate Director in 2007. She joined Ingleton Wood LLP in 2010 as an Associate, becoming Director of Engineering in 2011 and a Partner in 2014. Laura oversaw the growth of the M&E discipline from around 20 to over 40 people and in April 2021 she became Senior Partner. Laura is also HR Partner and oversees training and apprenticeships across the practice. 

Laura has always been interested in the communication of engineering ideas, particularly around low energy building design and sustainability. She was a Member of Council for the University of Essex from 2010 to 2015, also becoming a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and helping to recruit their first Sustainability Champion. Since 2016 she has been a Colchester Ambassador, working with other businesses and the Local Authority to drive inward investment into the Colchester area. In 2020 she was appointed as a Commissioner for the Essex Climate Action Commission and is particularly involved in the Built Environment Special Interest Group.

Laura is a keen cyclist, married with two teenage children, two dogs and a cat.

Vince is Managing Director of Grinstead Consulting Engineers. He holds a BA (Hons) in Engineering Technology. In 2005 he became a Fellow of CIBSE. Vince is also a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Member of the Water Management Society.

Since 1998, Vince has been an active member of CIBSE. He is a Professional Membership and Registration interviewer. He was Chairman of the CIBSE Membership and Registration Panel for over 14 years, mentoring numerous Engineers through to successful Chartership. He Chaired the Education, Training and Membership Committee for over three years and CIBSE Council Member. He is also a Member of The Engineering Council Registration Standards Committee. In May 2020, Vince joined the CIBSE Board and become a Board Member and Trustee.

Vince started his 45-year Building Services Engineering career in the Royal Mail as an Apprentice Electrician and then completed his University Degree to become a Chartered Engineer. He held a number of key positions in the Engineering Department of Royal Mail and went on to play a key role as Executive Engineer in the National Policy and Standards Group.

Vince was appointed as Senior Associate to manage the Brighton Practice for National Design Consultancy (NDC) in 1991, then part of Royal Mail. He played an active part in NDC becoming a private limited company through a Management Buyout and as Director, had full responsibility for the London practice for almost 20 years.

Vince has experience working at all levels across the full range of Building Services Design, Project Management, Maintenance, Health & Safety and Statutory Compliance. He has worked for both the Public and Private sectors. He is an experienced Project Director, responsible for a number of multi-site UK-wide refurbishment projects, delivering on time, cost and quality, whilst meeting all legislative requirements.

His people skills, leadership, planning, training, communication, commercial and team working skills have proved to be strong throughout his career. These skills have also been put to good use in lead volunteer roles on humanitarian aid projects in Romania and Zambia.

Vince has specialised in the control of Legionella in Water Systems for the past 34 years. His work includes creating company policies, training staff, auditing maintenance regimes, coaching and training clients to achieve legislation compliance and managing remedial works projects across large national estates. His passion for this specialism founded Grinstead Consulting Engineers in 2016, providing Specialist Consultancy Services across a range of sectors including Local Government, water hygiene and national retail companies. Vince created a successful legionella awareness training course accredited for CPD and listed by CIBSE.

Andrew is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers.

He has delivered and managed many capital projects during his career in the public and private sector; including leading the technical and delivery elements of Suffolk County Council’s Building Schools for the Future programmes and two large TUPE transfer of services from County Council’s.

Andrew has managed the in-house consultancy team at Suffolk County Council, offering multi-disciplinary design services, project and programme management, and estates advice on acquisitions, disposals and ratings. And then went on to lead the outsourcing of services in 2013 to Concertus Design and Property Consultants Limited becoming its Chief Executive for nearly 10 years.

Andrew is currently a trustee for the Engineering Council, he Chairs the Education, Training and Membership Committee for CIBSE and is currently sits on a number of industry groups.