It has now been a year since the fire at London’s Grenfell Tower, in which 71 people died. The public inquiry into the tragedy began last month, eliciting heart-shredding impact statements from those affected. That the inquiry will last two years is both sobering and depressing, and bears testimony to the seriousness and shocking impact of such a disaster. 

For our industry, a key development in this process was the publication last month of a 186-page report by Dame Judith Hackitt, which preceded the public inquiry and had the remit to look at the role – and presumed failings – of the construction, design and engineering sectors in the lead up to the incident. 

This week, the 35 member organisations of the Construction Industry Council met to consider their position in light of the report’s findings. I bet many at the meeting had feared that the Hackitt review would place responsibility firmly on the shoulders of the construction industry. In a calamitous situation like this, someone needs to carry the can and it’s easy to attack those that designed, built, maintained and clad the building. Regardless of Hackitt’s real remit, I believe a common view before its publication was that the review was intended to blame the builders. 

I sensed a collective sigh of relief by the industry when Dame Judith Hackitt delivered a measured, more than sensationalist, document

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