Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast. Ep.04 Tony Threadgold

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