Black Cat Chat: Building Regulations, Risk, and Responsibility with Tony Threadgold

In this episode, I sat down with the brilliant Tony Threadgold — our in-house expert on all things Building Control – to explore the changing landscape of regulation and the role of the Principal Designer.

Tony's journey spans from major projects like the Trafford Centre to founding and running a national Approved Inspector firm. Today, he's leading Black Cat’s Principal Designer (PD) service, helping clients navigate complex regulatory challenges under the new Building Safety Act.

What’s changed?

• The Building Safety Act (2022) has redefined responsibilities, especially for high-risk buildings.
• The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) now oversees approvals — with only 14% of applications currently approved.
• Principal Designers carry serious legal weight — including potential prison time for non-compliance.

At Black Cat, we’re stepping up — not stepping back. Our PD team is already supporting dozens of live projects with expertise, rigour and the willingness to give actual advice.

If you're grappling with the new regs — or simply want to avoid costly delays — give Tony a call. His insight might just save your project.