APS has increased its sector-wide engagement to better support members in developing and maintaining professional competence. Each week, we’ll share an update from APS HQ so you can see the breadth of work being carried out for your benefit.

What happened last week?

Thankfully, last week was calmer meeting wise, but it’s not the number of meetings one has, it’s the quality of them that is important. And last week was at least equally important on the impact front.

As a professional body, we’re lucky to be able to draw on the expertise of our Directors; last Monday, our President, Mark Snelling, attended the CIC Building Safety Panel on behalf of APS. At the meeting, a discussion was held on the draft CIC position paper on competence and the role that professional bodies play in supporting professionals. APS is closely involved in this piece of work that CIC will be using for external engagement including with the Single Regulator and their future remit over professionals.

On Wednesday, Andrew and Sofie met with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government dutyholding team – they are engaged with competence requirements for non-regulated professions (such as surveyors) and professionals that deliver against statutory dutyholding roles (such as Principal Designers). The MHCLG dutyholding team is very much in listening mode at the moment, in preparation for shaping the ‘regulation’ of professions and dutyholding functions over the coming years. Now was an opportune time to meet with the team, in advance of the publication of the ‘new’ independent Building Safety Regulators’ prospectus which we are expecting soon.

We covered much ground, including how APS is supporting members in maintaining their competence, our competence assessment approach for both assessed members and those on our Principal Designer Building Regulations register, also covering our governance in place, our CPD and training support and our code of practice. We also outlined some of the challenges our members face when trying to achieve building safety outcomes. Much is going on in the Government’s policy agenda that is impacting our members, and Thursday’s webinar on “Building Safety Act – what’s next?”, delivered by Andrew and Mark, sought to update members about just that, including what is happening in the space around the regulation of professions. More about that below.

Sofie started Friday chairing the Industry Task and Finish Group’s (ITFG) Steering group. APS recently shared the ITFG consultation on the draft guidance Managing Competence in the Built Environment: A Guide. Since the consultation closed, we’ve been busy analysing the feedback and key areas for improvement, which were discussed in great detail during the meeting.

Later on Friday, Sofie also attended the CIC Liability Panel, providing an update on the Gateway 3 expectation of providing as built drawings, as awareness of this ‘clarified expectation’ remains low.

Recent output our members should know about

Thursday’s building safety webinar provided a useful overview of all the policy changes taking place in the building safety space and gave more background information on much of the activity outlined above. You can view the webinar on demand here.

Last week also saw the anticipated pre-launch of the Built Environment Competence Hub. A joint initiative of the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) and the BSI, the Hub will be a central space for professionals to access building safety competence frameworks, standards and practical guidance. Launching in full in January 2026, the Hub is designed for all those working in the built environment sector, including designers, contractors, regulators and anyone involved in competence development or oversight. You can register for early access here.

What’s happening the week ahead?

Next week is anticipated to be another week of few, but important meetings. As a professional body, we assess both individuals and organisations, so it’s important to us that we practise what we preach. And it’s time for our Internal management system end of year review.

Also on Tuesday, Sofie will be participating in the CLC Building Occupation portfolio group. This groups’ objective is to work with the Government, regulators, industry experts and residents to maintain and operate safe buildings for those who live and work in them. APS is engaged in this group to provide a full building lifecycle perspective, including that of building work in the occupation phase. It will also be a useful opportunity to find out more about the upcoming qualification requirements for managing agents and social housing professionals. Sofie will also be meeting with Katherine Metcalfe at Pinsent Masons, to talk about all things dutyholder- both CDM and PD Building Regulations.

All that activity is taking place in the run up of a big day at APS HQ, with the Board meeting taking place on Wednesday. After a full day talking APS strategy, Andrew will carry the APS flag at a UKAS reception at the Scottish Parliament.

Andrew will close next week’s set of external meetings, attending the ICC setting expectations group 2 on clients’. This group has been called together to provide guidance for clients on what to expect when working with other dutyholders and what expectations rest on them.