5 minutes with...Jeremy Barlow

Jeremy Barlow MCABE C.Build E, Building Control Manager, Class 2F/4 Registered Building Inspector/Technical Manager at East Midlands Building Consultancy (EMBC).

Q What was your route into the profession? 

My father was a bricklayer and eventually a Building Control Manager for a local authority so he encouraged me into the industry. I did a three-year bricklaying apprenticeship achieving the City & Guilds Craft Certificate, Advanced Craft Certificate awards in Brickwork and the National Certificate in Building Studies.

I became Trainee Building Inspector at Melton Borough Council and I returned to study, achieving the Higher National Certificate in Construction and also a BSc (Hons) Degree in Building Engineering. I spent 13 years there progressing to a Building Control Officer and Building Control Manager, even dealing with a fire that nearly destroyed the council offices. My involvement encapsulated everything I had learned – from dealing with the dangerous structure and the fire service, to the part demolition of the building and the planning and construction of the new one.

I moved to Gedling Borough Council as Senior Building Inspector and then Building Control Manager at EMBC – a shared service between South Kesteven District Council, Newark & Sherwood District Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Q What are the current challenges of your role?

When I started at EMBC, morale was low and workload was high due to the geographical area covered and the number of vacant posts. Over the past year we have taken on a new Building Control Officer and three trainees (starting the Level 4 CIOB Diploma in Public Service Building Control) – three of the service support team are on the same course. I believe in a ‘grow-your-own’ culture where you allow a great team to develop, empowered to run with their own ideas.

Being a manager is a challenge. I didn’t appreciate how personalities and needs differ from person to person, and that there’s a fine line between being a manager and being a friend. There are also elements out of my comfort zone – such as presenting, chairing, creating job descriptions, being involved with disciplinaries and dealing with mental health issues. There are no guidance notes on these things, but having the support of my employer makes things easier.

Q What question do you get asked most often?

“Do I need planning permission?” A lot of people do not know what building control is, which is quite frustrating.

Q What is the biggest challenge facing the profession, in your opinion?

Undoubtably it’s having to register as a building inspector. Individuals who have 20-40 years of building control experience are having to prove their competency through examination or portfolio/interview. Many have left the industry through early retirement, mental health or a career change. Having just gone through the process of validation and registration at Class 2F/4 Building Inspector/Technical Manager myself, I understand the effect this may have on an individual.

Q What inspires your work?

Seeing people trying their best, doing well and achieving their goals. I once saw Dr Andy Cope, a wellbeing author, discussing “the art of being brilliant” and having a positive mental attitude: “The art of brilliance exists to help you raise the bar from surviving to thriving.”