Karen Holmes appointed as Registrar of CICAIR

Karen Holmes appointed as Registrar of the CIC Approved Inspector Register (CICAIR) Ltd

Karen Holmes, formerly the Registrar of the Architects’ Registration Board, has been appointed as Registrar of the CIC Approved Inspector Register (CICAIR Ltd), which is the body designated by the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government) for the purposes of approving Approved Inspectors under the Building Act.

Karen – who starts her new role on 6th July – will succeed Scott McLew, who has been Registrar since 2013 and is leaving to take up a role with the Property Institute in New Zealand.

Prior to her twenty-year career at the ARB (as Head of Registration, Deputy Registrar and Registrar), Karen was with the Solicitors Complaints Bureau of the Law Society from 1989-99.

Speaking of her appointment, the Chair of CICAIR Ltd, The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford said:

“We are delighted to welcome Karen Holmes as the new Registrar of CICAIR. With her substantial experience of registration work in other related professions, Karen is exceptionally well placed to take over the responsibility for the registration, monitoring, audit and development of Approved Inspectors and drive forward our work to raise standards across the Building Control profession.

We wish Scott McLew, who has been Registrar of CICAIR for the past 7 years every success in his new career in New Zealand and are confident that Karen will be able to build on his achievements to ensure ever higher standards of performance and public protection.”

Graham Watts OBE, Chief Executive of CIC said:

“Having worked with Karen in recent years, during her time at ARB, I am very much looking forward to welcoming her as a senior colleague within our Group. This is a pivotal time in the evolution of the building control profession as we await details of the Building Safety Bill; and the wealth of experience that Karen has gained in senior roles within regulating authorities and working closely with government will be of great significance going forward.”

On accepting the appointment, Karen Holmes said:

“I am really pleased to be joining CICAIR at such an important time for Approved Inspectors and the wider built environment. I am very much looking forward to better understanding the challenges and opportunities the profession is facing, whilst building on the regulatory standards and performance regime, and CICAIR’s commitment to public protection.”