CABE (the Chartered Association of Building Engineers) has announced that Richard Harral, formerly the Association’s Technical director, has been formally announced as its new Chief Executive.
With the Association since 2018, Richard Harral FCABE joined CABE as Technical director, and worked closely with former CEO, Dr Gavin Dunn, playing a major part in the Association’s transformation, which saw it widen its membership base and become an Engineering Council-licensed professional engineering institution. As Technical director, he co-authored BSI Flex 8670: Built Environment. Core criteria for building safety in competence framework. Code of practice, and led on drafting a cross-industry report on the Future Regulation of Building Control. This report became the starting point for the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) consideration of how to introduce the registration of Building Inspectors.
Richard Harral was also instrumental in the establishing a route for Building Inspectors to prove their competence – a route that gives successful applicants the required evidence to register with the BSR. CABE remains the only professional body to offer a building inspector competence assessment scheme. Along with his previous background as a chartered architect, and his work as a policy official for the Building Regulations Division of MHCLG, he has an in-depth understanding of the challenges and needs of professionals and the industry.
Commenting on his appointment, he said; “I am excited to have this opportunity to lead in delivering the next chapter of the Association’s history, with a strategy that helps support members as they adapt to changing technology, regulations and expectations. Throughout CABE’s history, collaboration and knowledge-sharing have been at the cornerstones of the Association, and we will continue to deliver this. By supporting members and collaborating with fellow professionals, we can help the construction industry raise standards and deliver a safe, sustainable, and inclusive built environment.”