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REM host The Fire and Building Safety Forum 2024
Charles Smith, Head of Health and Safety at Real Estate Management (UK) Limited (REM), a business renowned for its expertise in providing asset management services for London's premier real estate, had the privilege of hosting the Fire and Building Safety Forum at one of REM’s flagship properties, The Shard.
This gathering brought together a diverse range of organisations, each grappling with compliance under the Building Safety Act and its associated legislation. It provided a platform for collaborative discussion on building safety and offered insights into how different sectors are adapting to evolving regulation.
Some sectors are notably ahead in their preparations, offering valuable insights into navigating the shifting demands of the built environment. The event, attended by industry specialists and regulators, facilitated open discussions on regulatory updates and compliance perspectives.
REM finds itself diverging from the standard model underpinning the Building Safety Act. Consequently, our approach to compliance will differ significantly from that of student accommodation providers, social housing groups, or developers. Direct insights from experts regarding legislative changes impacting the built environment are essential in shaping REM's strategy.
The inclusion of additional REM attendees further enriched our understanding of the forthcoming challenges. Moreover, the event prompted reflection on the maturity of organisations' compliance efforts, using the Dunning Kruger competence curve as a framework.
Insights from speakers such as Jenni Seex, Head of Protection & Building Safety at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, shed light on the practicalities of resident engagement in urban developments. Similarly, Laura Lucinda Bryant's discussion on the implementation of a building safety case provided valuable insights into associated pitfalls.
Presentations were delivered by:
- Jenni Seex, Head of Protection & Building Safety, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service
- Richard Glazzard, Regional Director, Health & Safety Services, AtkinsRealis
- Laura Lucinda Bryant, Senior Director, Operational Risk Management and Health & Safety Europe, Greystar
