Experienced building controller Dave Allen has joined Bureau Veritas as the business unit director of its construction-focused division.

Mr Allen will use his 34 years' experience to lead an 80-strong team across the building control, fire engineering, structural and construction management disciplines.

He previously held a leadership and integration tenure with Stroma and spent 18 years at Butler & Young, where he also served as Managing Director.

As the secretary of The Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors (ACAI) and actively involved with the Construction Industry Council (CIC), he is ideally placed to give insight in his new position.

Mr Allen said: "After a great grounding in a local authority building control roles, I've established a reputable career in the private building control industry and have vast experience at a strategic leadership level, as well as on-the-ground experience of working on large projects across a range of sectors. My work with the ACAI also means I am involved at the highest level of the discussions around how to make much-needed improvements to how the industry and customers approach and fire safety.

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"Bureau Veritas, as a leading global inspection body and health and safety expert is therefore an ideal fit, as it allows me to utilise my experience, both in a leadership and industry-expert capacity, and really champion the critical need for giving construction compliance the level of importance it needs. The Grenfell tragedy really highlighted some of the major gaps in the industry and, whilst there is no quick fix, there is a lot to be done. Being part of such a large and well-placed organisation is the ideal place to influence real change and it is my aim to bring both my valued team and Bureau Veritas customers on this crucial journey with me."

Ken Smith, chief executive officer at Bureau Veritas, added: "With his invaluable industry experience, there was no-one better to head up our construction-focused division and I have no doubt that he is going to support our global capabilities within the construction industry and be instrumental in driving our ambition to be the UK's number one compliance partner. I am also certain he is going to make real strides in influencing the future of building control and have a positive impact not only internally but for our customers and the wider industry in general."

(CM/MH)