Meet the Team: Barry Roan

At 4site Consulting, our people are at the heart of the support we provide to clients. Building safety can involve complex responsibilities and important decisions, so having an experienced and approachable team on hand can make a real difference.

In this 4site spotlight, we introduce Barry Roan, Building Safety Management Team Leader at 4site Consulting. Barry leads our Building Safety Management team, working closely with colleagues and clients to support the development and ongoing management of Building Safety Cases and help make the process as clear and straightforward as possible.

As 4site continues to support property managers, Accountable Persons and Responsible Persons across the UK property compliance and building safety sector, Barry brings a wealth of knowledge and a practical, supportive approach to his role, helping clients feel informed, reassured and confident in managing their building safety responsibilities.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day is hard to put into words, but a typical week balances active onsite work with technical analysis and team leadership.

A portion of my week is on-site at high-rise residential buildings doing intensive physical investigation. I inspect buildings to gather the hard evidence needed for the assessment and BSC reports.

Another portion of my week will be spent turning the data I gathered on-site into formal documentation for gap analyses and Building Safety Cases.

On top of this, being a team leader requires me to mentor team members, review their assessments and reports, and solve complex compliance issues together.

Clients also come to me for support with translating legislative requirements into clear, actionable advice, to help them understand their building's safety actions.

What did you do before you worked at 4site?

I spent 24 years exploring the world, from Canada to Cyprus, The Falkland Islands to Northern Ireland, including soaking up the sun in Jordan and Afghanistan.

What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about your job?

One element of my role is completing fire risk assessments. People often think a fire risk assessment is simply a checklist exercise – counting fire extinguishers and checking that fire exits open. In reality, it can be a highly technical assessment. We look at everything from building construction and façade systems to smoke ventilation and how people are likely to respond in an emergency. You have to reverse-engineer how fire and smoke would behave within that particular building and what measures are needed to keep people safe.

What questions do clients ask you most often?

“What is a Building Safety Case Report, and why do we need one?”

What advice would you give to property managers trying to stay compliant?

Read and understand legislation, and ask for advice when in doubt. The Building Safety Act 2022 is still new and all are still learning the finer details.

What changes have you seen in the industry during your career?

Updated building regulations have provided massive details and changes. Since I started, there has been the introduction of The Fire Safety Act 2021, The Building Safety Act 2022, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Together with supporting regulations and guidance, these have brought much greater focus to how fire and structural safety risks are understood and managed.

What should clients be paying attention to right now?

For higher-risk buildings and Building Safety Case Reports, it is important to keep up to date with the Building Safety Act 2022, & The Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023. The Building Safety Regulator regularly updates information, too.

There are also changes to Approved Document B, coming into effect from 30 September 2026. These include, for example, updated guidance around stairwells, new buildings over 18m will need to have more than one.

Can you share a memorable project or experience from your time at 4site?

Stepping into a role supporting the Building Safety Case team has been particularly memorable. I have been involved since the beginning, and it has been great to see the team grow to more than three times its original size.

Can you share an example where early intervention prevented a larger issue?

Completing a Building Safety Case is itself a form of early intervention. By understanding the additional information the Building Safety Regulator commonly asks for, we can anticipate what may be needed and include it from the outset, helping to reduce follow-up requests, delays and additional work later in the process.

What's your favourite thing about working here?

The people. There is a great team around me, with plenty of opportunities to learn from each other.

How has 4site supported your professional development?

Since starting at 4site, I have grown from a trainee risk assessor to a senior risk assessor role. I have completed my level 4 diploma in fire risk assessing during this period.

What advice would you give someone considering a career at 4site?

Be willing to learn from everyone. There is a huge amount of knowledge and experience across the business, so take every opportunity to learn from the people around you.

Quick-fire fun

One piece of advice you live by?

Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Three words colleagues would use to describe you?

Depending who you ask: Funny, serious and motivated

Most-used phrase in the office?

“Google maps and FLS says it take 30 minutes.”