From Apprentice to Associate Director: Joe Green on Building Control, Safety and Shaping Better Buildings

Q. Have you always had an interest in construction/engineering?

I’ve always been interested in how buildings work in practice, not just how they’re designed. Building control gives you that full view and involvement, from early design thinking through to what’s physically delivered on-site, to make sure it performs as intended and is a safe, comfortable space for people to operate in.

Q. What was your route into the profession?

I started my career as an apprentice building control officer at a local authority. I’ve progressed through both operational and leadership roles, gaining exposure to a wide range of sectors. That breadth of experience is important, as building control is not just about theory, but about applying regulations practically in real-world situations.

Q. What are the current challenges of your role?

The pace and scale of change across the industry. The Building Safety Act has raised a lot of expectations around accountability, documentation and evidence, which is absolutely the right direction, but it does bring additional complexity for both inspectors and clients. Alongside that, there’s a real challenge around capacity and experience in the sector. A lot of feedback across the industry points to declining resourcing and a growing skills gap, so there’s also a big opportunity for emerging talent to step in and support that demand. A lot of clients are still getting to grips with their responsibilities under the new regime, so having people in place to provide clarity and help navigate that process is becoming increasingly important.

Q. What question do you get asked most often?

“Are we compliant?” – a pretty straightforward question, but the answer is often less straightforward now. Compliance is about demonstrating clear, co-ordinated evidence across the whole project, not just individual elements. Our role is to assess that evidence and determine whether it meets the requirements of the Building Regulations. A big part of the process now is helping clients understand what is expected early on.

Q. What inspires your work?

The impact it all ultimately has on people and communities. Building control is one part of a much bigger construction jigsaw, but it has a critical role in making sure buildings are safe and perform as they should. There’s a real responsibility that comes with that, particularly on more complex projects, and it’s genuinely rewarding to see schemes progress with that level of assurance built in from the outset. It’s also great to revisit projects once they’re open to the public, just to see how they’ve been finished and how people are using them.

I also enjoy the variety. No two projects are the same, and you’re constantly applying your judgement to different situations, working with a wide range of people across the industry. That’s a big part of what keeps it interesting. Being in a position where you can help ensure buildings meet the right level of quality and compliance is something I find genuinely rewarding. 

Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Get as much practical site experience as possible – understanding how buildings are put together is invaluable. I’d also say to stay adaptable, as the industry is always changing and being able to grow with that change is key.


This article originally appeared in Building Engineer.