CIBSE is proud to celebrate James Byass and Luke Hadley of Max Fordham, who have become the first engineers to achieve Higher-Risk Buildings (HRB) Registration through CIBSE.
The HRB Register, developed by the Engineering Council, provides clients, residents, employers and regulators with confidence that engineers are competent to work on Higher-Risk Buildings. The register assesses both competence and commitment, ensuring that UK engineers meet the rigorous standards required to design and manage complex, high-stakes projects. CIBSE is one of only five Professional Engineering Institutions licensed to award HRB Registration, offering assessments against the generalist UK-SPEC HRB requirements as well as the Building Services and Façade annexes.
Luke Hadley, Director and Electrical Engineering Leader at Max Fordham, has been delivering robust and efficient electrical engineering solutions across a wide range of building types, from theatres, art galleries and multiple complex residential developments for nearly two decades. He has led the electrical design on several landmark projects, including the Tate Modern Blavatnik Building, the National Portrait Gallery refurbishment, and large-scale residential developments in Fulham and Battersea.
“Being recognised as a Chartered Higher-Risk Buildings Engineer is both a professional honour and a responsibility. I am proud to be one of the first building engineers to achieve this status, which represents a clear commitment to competence, transparency, and the protection of life in our built environment.” says Luke.
James Byass, Director of Max Fordham’s MEP Housing team, has over 20 years’ experience in building services engineering, specialising in large-scale residential schemes and complex mixed-use developments. James has led Max Fordham's involvement in projects including Grahame Park, Abbey Wood, South Thamesmead Housing Zone and the Aylesbury Estate regeneration scheme.
“Working on high‑risk residential buildings carries a huge responsibility and HRB Registration is a welcome and necessary step for the industry. It ensures that those designing these systems can demonstrate the depth of knowledge and experienced required to keep residents safe throughout a building’s lifecycle.” says James.
Julia Savage, Head of Membership and Registration at CIBSE, commented: “HRB Registration is a vital step for engineers working on complex and high-risk buildings. It provides assurance to clients and regulators and it recognises those engineers who meet the highest standards of competence and professional responsibility. We are delighted to see James and Luke leading the way.”
CIBSE will also be hosting a Higher-Risk Buildings Registration Webinar on 5 March 2026, which will provide an overview of the registration process and requirements for professionals interested in achieving HRB Registration. Engineers and industry professionals can sign up to attend here.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Max Fordham and highlights the growing importance of HRB Registration in raising standards and safeguarding people in the built environment.