The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has appointed an interim chief construction adviser.
Thouria Istephan, who was a member of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel, has been appointed for 12 months to provide expert, independent advice to ministers and government on building safety and regulatory reform.
MHCLG said Istephan will "play a central role helping to shape the future of the built environment sector, ensuring that safety, delivery and accountability are central to decision-making, with residents’ voices at heart".
The department added that the interim appointment will allow “vital work to begin now with expert leadership in place to guide and maintain momentum on reform and regulatory design, while the government establishes the role permanently next year”.
Appointing a chief construction adviser was one of dozens of recommendations from phase two of the Grenfell Inquiry that the government agreed to implement. The role previously existed, from 2008-2015, before it was scrapped under then-prime minister David Cameron’s anti-regulation drive.
Samantha Dixon, the minister for building safety, said: “Istephan brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to public service that will bring valuable insight and meaningful change to building safety in this country.
“Her work will drive the transformation needed to restore trust and improve safety, accountability and confidence across the sector.”
Before Istephan’s work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel, she spent decades at leading international design and architectural practices, where she held senior roles including construction design management manager, partner, and technical design deputy across major projects and sectors.
Istephan said the role will enable her to apply her “extensive architectural experience, together with insights gained through my work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry” and “represents a unique opportunity to provide independent advice that promotes progressive and proportionate standards”.
“I am committed to playing my part in addressing the devastating consequences of past failures – on people, on the environment, and on the innocent lives lost – as well as the enduring emotional and financial burdens that so many continue to face,” she added.
MHCLG said the appointment was made through a direct ministerial process, in line with Cabinet Office guidance, and the role will be taken up on a part-time basis.
The announcement of the interim appointment is part of MHCLG's latest update on government progress implementing recommendations from phase two of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The government has said it expects that it will take at least four years for all recommendations to be completed.
Another key recommendation from phase two of the inquiry was to create a single regulator for the construction industry.
In its update report, MHCLG said it announced changes to the Building Safety Regulator in June, "which represents the first step on the path to a single regulator".
The department said it has also established the structures required to design the single regulator, by setting up the Single Regulator Advisory Board in partnership with industry, residents, regulators and experts to advise the government on the design of the single regulator.
MHCLG said the board's design work will inform a prospectus which will be published later this year and will set out proposals for the design of the single regulator that will lead to the necessary legislation to establish it when parliamentary time allows.