Former Hyde boss and ex-housing minister appointed to post-Grenfell building control panel

Not long after the publication of her review, Dame Judith said the construction industry needed a “tougher regulatory regime” with penalties for companies that do not meet new higher standards.

She has continued to advocate for better standards since, and last year questioned why the housing sector is “so reticent to put its house in order” when it comes to building safety and “continues to wait for other people to tell you what to do”.

On the new panel, Dame Judith said:  “The panel stands ready to get to work on this important review. We will work at speed, but we come at this issue with an open mind and a determination to further raise standards.”

Alongside Ms Bailey and Mr Raynsford, Dame Judith will be joined by Ken Rivers, a non-executive director at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and former executive at Shell, and Dr David Snowball, a non-executive director at the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and former acting chief executive of the HSE.

Building safety minister Alex Norris said: “The appointment of this independent panel is a significant step in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. We need a building control system that puts safety first and supports our plans to accelerate remediation. 

“It must also help to deliver 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes over this parliament and be equipped to meet the demands of a modern construction sector.   

“Their work will play a vital role in shaping a safer, more accountable building industry, and I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations as they take this important work forward.”

As part of its final response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the government promised to bring in a single construction regulator to hold those responsible for building safety to account.