What will his government job involve?

He will work full time at MHCLG, advising on building safety, construction quality, resilience and productivity. He will also support outstanding Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and advise on regulatory reform.

How long is the appointment?

MHCLG appointed Cavalaro for three years following an open recruitment process.

He replaces interim chief construction adviser Thouria Istephan. They will work together for a month during the handover. MHCLG did not confirm her subsequent role.

What will the Building Safety Levy pay for?

MHCLG says proceeds will help fund remediation of unsafe buildings, including dangerous cladding removal. The levy is expected to raise about £3.4bn over 10 years.

Sergio Cavalaro appointed MHCLG building safety adviser

Sergio Cavalaro appointed government building safety adviser

The Loughborough University professor will serve a three-year term at MHCLG, advising on construction quality, resilience and productivity.

By Priya Raval, Fire Safety and Regulation Correspondent
6 Oct 2026, 13:10

Cladding removal work on scaffolding beside an exposed residential block external wall — Building safety

Appointment and handover

Cavalaro will join the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government full time after being selected through an open recruitment process, according to Construction News, citing the department. His formal title is chief construction and scientific adviser for building safety.

He succeeds Thouria Istephan, who has held the chief construction adviser post on an interim basis. MHCLG said they would work alongside each other for a month to complete the handover. It did not confirm what position Istephan would hold afterwards.

The post now carries scientific adviser status following a government decision earlier in the year. Construction News reported in February that this would bring it into the network of chief scientific advisers across government.

Engineering and research background

Cavalaro is a professor of infrastructure systems and a civil engineer with a doctorate in construction engineering. According to Loughborough University, his previous advisory work includes assignments for the Cabinet Office, the Department for Education and the Ministry of Defence on challenges involving the built environment.

The university also identifies modern methods of construction among his research areas. His work has covered methods for checking the quality of construction materials, including reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reform

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry's phase two report recommended establishing a chief construction adviser. Ministers accepted that recommendation. MHCLG said Cavalaro would help implement the inquiry recommendations that remain outstanding and provide advice on changes to regulation.

The department also expects him to connect government with regulators, construction businesses, professional bodies, researchers and residents. The role therefore includes engagement beyond Whitehall as well as advice within the department.

Building safety minister Baroness Jacqui Blake said his contribution would help develop reforms to safety, regulation and standards in the built environment. Cavalaro said he intended to work with the Building Safety Regulator and the wider sector to improve building performance and safety.

Levy and remediation funding

The appointment followed the introduction of the Building Safety Levy by a few days. The levy took effect on 1 October 2026. MHCLG said it covers eligible residential schemes and purpose-built student accommodation submitted through building control, and would generally apply to developments with more than 10 homes.

The department expects the levy to collect about £3.4bn over a decade. It said the money would contribute to work on unsafe buildings, including the removal of dangerous cladding.

Why this matters

For cladding and facade contractors, specifiers and clients, Cavalaro's remit covers regulatory reform and the implementation of outstanding Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. His role includes linking industry and residents with government and regulators. Separately, the Building Safety Levy provides a funding route for remediation, with MHCLG identifying dangerous cladding removal among the work its proceeds will support.

Questions readers are asking

Who is Sergio Cavalaro?: Cavalaro is Loughborough University's professor of infrastructure systems. He is a civil engineer with a doctorate in construction engineering and has advised government departments on built environment issues.
What will his government job involve?: He will work full time at MHCLG, advising on building safety, construction quality, resilience and productivity. He will also support outstanding Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and advise on regulatory reform.
How long is the appointment?: MHCLG appointed Cavalaro for three years following an open recruitment process.
Who is he replacing?: He replaces interim chief construction adviser Thouria Istephan. They will work together for a month during the handover. MHCLG did not confirm her subsequent role.
Why does the role include scientific advice?: The government decided to give the chief construction adviser scientific adviser status. Construction News reported in February that the change would place the post within the wider government chief scientific adviser network.
What construction materials has he researched?: Loughborough University says Cavalaro has worked on quality control methods for construction materials, including reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. His research also covers modern methods of construction.
What will the Building Safety Levy pay for?: MHCLG says proceeds will help fund remediation of unsafe buildings, including dangerous cladding removal. The levy is expected to raise about £3.4bn over 10 years.

Reported from coverage by Construction News. This article was written independently by our news desk.

Sergio Cavalaro appointed government building safety adviser

Appointment and handover

Engineering and research background

Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reform

Levy and remediation funding

Why this matters

Questions readers are asking

Topics in this story

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