Big Interview – Julie Bregulla

June 28, 2024

Julie Bregulla, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the British Board of Agrément, discusses the role of BBA in driving industry safety and quality by enabling innovation and identifying risk

Could you tell us about your professional journey to becoming the COO of the BBA?

I spent 17 years of my career with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) before taking up a Director and Professor role at The Engineering and Design Institute (TEDI)-London. TEDI is a higher education start-up for future engineers, jointly founded by Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW Sydney. I’ve worked in academia, consulting and construction, which has given me a unique insight into the many varied aspects of engineering and construction.

I am a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Member of the Expert Witness Institute. I hold a PhD in structural fire engineering and have extensive experience in the research and development, standards and certification of both innovative and established products in the built environment, so I feel well equipped for this challenging and exciting role!

What role does innovation play at the BBA?

I believe innovation is absolutely fundamental and key to renewal, advancement, and keeping pace with the requirements of our industry to serve people and planet. From the products we certify to the processes we invest in and the people who drive this forward, innovation is the underlying lifeblood of our industry, and therefore how we work at the BBA too.

The beauty of innovation is that when you meet it, you are challenged by it. It challenges the way you assess products and think about safety standards. It exercises our skills and demands us to be agile and adaptable to the needs and movements of our industry, understanding the underpinning principles and regulatory drivers. At BBA we strive to understand and support innovation and emerging technologies. We also embrace and drive internal innovation in our systems and delivery. By working closely with the industry, the sector and its stakeholders, we test, assess and certify innovative solutions, providing confidence to specifiers, contractors, and regulators. And when you look at innovation in our space, you realise that it can only be achieved if the entire construction industry plays a team game; one where every link in the construction supply chain works together to enable the new – safely. If anything, innovation shows us time and time again the importance of partnership – and that’s where the BBA is proud to play its part.

How does the BBA align its services with evolving regulatory requirements like the Building Safety Act?

Regulation, enabling legislation and standards are the foundation on which all certification is built. We keep up to date on industry developments, as well as society’s expectations and requirements for safety and third-party certification. My passion is to contribute my skills, experience and insight to this process – I’ve been active in standardisation for over 20 years, which for me is an essential cornerstone to understanding how the sector underpins its products and processes, and how this interacts to bring about regulatory compliance. The Building Safety Act is a pivotal moment for the entire construction sector and has a part to play in ensuring the safety and performance of all buildings, and to uphold professional competency.

How does the BBA encourage collaboration with external stakeholders to improve industry standards?

Collaboration is an underpinning principle of our delivery and approach, which includes working across the sector and with its stakeholders as to how certified products are used. But working together doesn’t just stop at the business of today – it’s about the safety of people and places; we believe that the power of working together sets the foundation for generations to come.

That is why at the BBA, we actively collaborate with all stakeholders to improve industry standards through several key initiatives. An example of this is the establishment of an Industry Working Group and our participation in a number of working groups and industry committees. These groups bring together stakeholders from different sectors, including manufacturers, contractors, regulatory bodies, and industry experts, to discuss and address common issues and challenges. This collaborative approach ensures diverse input into the development of standards and certification processes.

Through these collaborative efforts across the sector, the BBA ensures that its standards and certification processes are not only technically sound but also reflective of the collective expertise and needs of the industry, users and society generally. This approach helps to drive continuous improvement and innovation within the construction sector. We have our part to play.

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