Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) Services

Supporting compliance. Protecting your project.

Under the Building Safety Act, the role of the Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) is now a legal requirement on most construction projects involving more than one contractor. This role is critical in ensuring that Building Regulations are considered and co-ordinated throughout the design process, from concept to completion.

At Novenell we provide expert BRPD services to support both clients and design teams, helping projects to meet their statutory duties and achieve safe, compliant outcomes.

How the BRPD supports you

  • Early compliance planning – We help establish a clear strategy for meeting Building Regulations from the outset, reducing risk and delay later in the project.
  • Design co-ordination – We work across the design team to ensure that all elements align with the regulations, identifying gaps or conflicts before they become problems.
  • Client support and advice – As your appointed BRPD, we help you understand and fulfil your legal obligations under the Building Safety Act.
  • Managing compliance risk – We identify potential non-compliance early and support timely, practical solutions to keep your project on track.
  • Maintaining the golden thread – We ensure that vital compliance information is recorded, traceable and available, thereby supporting transparency and accountability throughout the build process.

Why appoint Novenell?

With a combined background spanning more than three decades, Paul Hilsden and James McCarroll bring a unique and powerful blend of technical, regulatory and project management experience to the role of Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD).

Oil and gas sector – 29 years of high-risk industry experience

Between them, Paul and James spent 29 years working in the highly regulated oil and gas sector, where they developed deep expertise in:

  • Risk management and safety-critical systems
  • Design co-ordination across multi-disciplinary teams
  • Technical reporting and auditing against strict industry standards

This background instilled a rigorous approach to compliance, traceability and accountability, all of which align closely with the principles behind the Building Safety Act and the BRPD role.

Building Control sector – 13 years of regulatory insight

For the past 13 years, Paul and James have worked extensively within the Building Control sector, supporting a wide range of residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Their work has included:

  • Reviewing and advising on compliance with Building Regulations across all Approved Documents
  • Collaborating with architects, contractors and consultants to resolve compliance challenges
  • Leading inspections, technical audits and regulatory submissions
  • Contributing to best practice in fire safety, structural integrity and energy performance

Their insight into the practical and regulatory aspects of the design and construction process equips them to deliver the BRPD role with confidence and authority.

What this means for you

As appointed BRPDs, Paul and James offer:

  • Proactive design co-ordination that embeds compliance from day one
  • Experienced guidance to help clients meet their legal duties
  • Risk-aware decision-making rooted in safety-critical industries
  • Clear communication across all stakeholders to maintain the golden thread

Together, they ensure that your project benefits not just from compliance, but also from leadership that understands what’s at stake.

To discuss how we can assist with your latest project, please call us on 020 4512 9522 or send us an email.