I am delighted to share some news about a new part-time role I have recently taken on with the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB).
UKCMB has a clear and important mission: to ensure that moisture safety is placed at the heart of creating healthy, durable and low-carbon buildings. This is an area I have long been passionate about. My own work on building performance: from airtightness and ventilation through to indoor air quality and energy efficiency, has shown time and again that moisture is a hidden but critical factor. If you get it wrong, the consequences can be severe: mould growth, poor indoor air quality, fabric decay, and ultimately homes that are neither safe nor sustainable.
My role
In my new role at UKCMB, I will be focusing on developing the Centre’s reach and impact, in three main ways:
- Bridging research and practice – working to make sure that the wealth of research in this area is translated into practical, usable guidance for those designing, constructing, and managing buildings.
- Building stronger networks – helping to connect academics, practitioners, industry, and policymakers so that knowledge exchange can happen more effectively.
- Supporting the next phase of UKCMB’s journey – shaping how the Centre evolves, so it can continue to have real influence on how buildings are designed, built, retrofitted, and maintained.
Why it matters
The challenges facing the built environment are intensifying: climate change, the drive to net zero, new building safety requirements, and the urgent need to address fuel poverty. At the same time, high-profile cases such as Awaab’s Law have highlighted the very real health impacts of damp and mould. This context makes UKCMB’s work more relevant than ever.
For me, this is a natural extension of the work I have been doing for many years through Four Walls Consultants – combining independent consultancy with involvement in regulations and guidance (such as Approved Documents F and L). I hope my experience will help UKCMB strengthen its role as a trusted, independent hub on building moisture risk.
Looking ahead
I am really looking forward to collaborating with colleagues old and new in this role. Over the coming months, I will be working with the UKCMB team to scope new opportunities for research, training, and knowledge exchange.
If you would like to get involved, or if you’re interested in the Centre’s activities, you can find more information at ukcmb.org