The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) has appointed Thouria Istephan as its new interim chief construction advisor

Announced on 30 September 2025 as part of the government’s progress update on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 recommendations, MHCLG stated that Istephan’s appointment marked a key milestone in fulfilling the inquiry’s recommendations and its building safety reform progress.

Having worked at leading international design and architectural practices as a construction design management manager, partner, and technical design deputy, Istephan also served as a panel member during phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry between 2019 and 2024. An architect with extensive industry experience of building safety standards, she is expected to provide expert, independent advice to ministers and the government on building safety and regulatory reform.

Her responsibilities include:

  • advising the Secretary of State on all matters affecting the construction industry
  • monitoring and advising on the department’s work relating to the Building Regulations, statutory guidance, and the construction industry more generally
  • engaging with industry more through key industry forum and partnerships to identify and deliver solutions
  • providing challenge and support to the department in her role by convening the industry to support the design and implementation of the single regulator
  • advising ministers and officials on the delivery of the response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, and other matters on request.

Istephan will hold the role until September 2026. As MHCLG explained, this 12-month interim appointment will allow the government to begin its work on reform and regulatory design until the role is permanently established next year. Ultimately, Istephan will play a “central role in 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”.

Minister for Building Safety, Samantha Dixon, said: “Ms 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.”

Speaking about her new role, Istephan said: “This role enables me to apply my extensive architectural experience, together with insights gained through my work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It 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.”

In addition to the appointment of an interim chief construction advisor, MHCLG also published its progress on other recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. They include new competence requirements for fire risk assessors, as previously reported by the FPA, through the new BS 8674:2025 Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors – Code of Practice.

In addition to a cross-government board, MHCLG stated that a new Four Nations and Crown Dependency Forum had been set up to “support UK-wide consistency of approach” to fire risk assessor competence requirements. Delivery plans and key milestones regarding fire risk assessor competence will be set out by the end of 2025.

You can access the full progress report here.