New guidance for building works created by not-for-profit housing group, Orbit, has been recognised as the ‘Building Safety Initiative of the Year’ at the ASCP Awards 2025.
The step-by-step guidance developed in partnership with law firm Bevan Brittan LLP and building and fire safety consultancy Totus Digital, was designed to support colleagues and contractors in navigating the updated Building Regulations and maintaining compliance. It supports users in:
- Clarifying if proposed works are classed as ‘building works’
- Understanding if the building is deemed a High-Risk Building (HRB)
- Determining if the building works fall into any dispensations
- Explaining the roles, responsibilities, competency, and appointment of new duty holders
- Outlining the process of planning, building control and completion for building works to HRBs and non-HRBs.
The Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) is the leading community for safely managing social housing and wider facilities management, with their annual awards celebrating excellence, innovation and leadership in safety and compliance across the sectors.
Afzal Ismail, Chief Regulatory and Governance Officer at Orbit, commented: “We are delighted to see our new building works guidance recognised as a leading initiative that supports our colleagues and partners to navigate recent changes to the Building Regulations, and prioritise the safety of our customers, colleagues and partners every single day.
“This award is a real testament of what we can achieve through partnership working and a shared commitment to safety, and we’re very grateful to Bevan Brittan and Totus Digital for sharing their expertise with us.”
Matt Sharp, CEO at ASCP, said: “At the ASCP, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive positive change in safety and compliance. Our awards are all about recognising the people and partnerships that set new standards and inspire others across our sector. Orbit's collaboration with Bevan Brittan and Totus Digital is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations work together for safety – innovating, promoting best practice and championing building safety to make a real difference in our communities.”
Louise Mansfield, Legal Director and health and safety specialist at Bevan Brittan LLP, added: “It was an absolute pleasure to work with Orbit on this initiative. The changes brought about by the Building Safety Act are not easy to understand and bring many challenges. This initiative tries to ensure that there is an internal system that is both understandable and workable, allowing colleagues across Orbit to comply with the law and work towards its aim to ensure all homes are good quality and safe.
“At Bevan Brittan we are working with many housing providers, the NHS and other sectors to help them understand the Building Safety Act. It is great that Orbit is happy to share the output of this initiative with other housing providers and actively seeking feedback for improvement. The organisation undoubtedly recognises the importance of sharing learning across sectors for the greater good.”
Aman Sharma MBE, CEO at Totus Digital, said: “We are delighted to learn that the building works guidance has been recognised at the 2025 ASCP awards.
“Totus Digital prides itself on the unique regulatory expertise our teams offer, and so I am very pleased to hear that this has been formally recognised through this award. This was very much a collaborative effort, made possible through the development of key strategic partnerships with both Orbit and Bevan Brittan, who continue to demonstrate the necessary leadership to foster a new culture for building safety that residents can trust, and have confidence in.”
Earlier this year, Orbit was also recognised with Gold Awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for best practice in both health and safety and customer safety for the seventh consecutive year.