This year marks a significant milestone for Andrew Dean, Senior Project Surveyor at our Cambridge office, who is celebrating 10 years with Salus.

Of course, a decade is a huge achievement in itself, but what makes his last ten years particularly interesting is the perspective he brought with him when he joined Salus. Andrew had spent more than 30 years working in local authority building control and was, by his own admission, sceptical about the private sector.

“I was a through-and-through LABC Building Control Officer. I thought private building control was all about money.”

Like many professionals who have dedicated their careers to public service, he had questions about whether an independent approved inspector could genuinely place quality and service ahead of commercial pressures. Ten years later, his view couldn’t be more different.

First Impressions Matter

Andrew recalls two standout comments made during his interview with Paul Morris and Andrew Wignall that really made Salus stand out from the crowd.

The first was simple:

“We have enough work. We don’t need you to bring work in.”

The second was equally important:

“If you need to carry out an extra site visit, Salus won’t stop you.”

At the time, these statements reflected an approach that prioritised professional judgement and client service over commercial targets.

“Many organisations were focused on winning new business and tightly managing project time. Salus took a different view. The emphasis was on providing the right level of service and supporting surveyors to do their job properly.”

A decade on, he believes that philosophy remains unchanged.

“Both points were relevant to me then, and I think I can report after 10 years that it’s still the same ethos.”

Iconic King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Grade I listed building

Projects That Leave a Mark

After more than 40 years in the profession, selecting a single career highlight isn’t easy.

While there have been prestigious projects and industry accolades along the way, it is often the projects that challenge convention and leave a lasting impact that stand out most.

One that stands out is the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.

Andrew’s site photos of King’s College, Chapel roof project.

The project represented an important moment in the conversation around sustainability and heritage. As a Grade I listed building, the proposal generated considerable debate about whether modern renewable technology could be successfully integrated into historic fabric.

“There were plenty of people who said it couldn’t be done and that it would affect the significance of the building.”

The project demonstrated that heritage and innovation do not have to be mutually exclusive. It helped challenge perceptions and contributed to a wider discussion about how historic buildings can play a role in a more sustainable future.

A Profession Transformed

Building control has gone through significant changes during the last decade.

The Grenfell Tower tragedy fundamentally altered the regulatory landscape, leading to major reforms across the industry. The introduction of the Building Safety Act, the Building Safety Regulator and new dutyholder responsibilities has reshaped the profession in ways few could have predicted.

For experienced surveyors, adapting to these changes has required continuous learning, resilience and a commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards.

“The profession has changed dramatically over the last decade, but what has mattered most is having an organisation that supports you in adapting to those changes while continuing to put quality and service first.”

What Keeps People at Salus

There is one constant theme that Andrew returns to while reflecting on the last ten years. Funnily enough, it is one of the same elements that attracted him to Salus in the first place.

Quality.

Structured around helping people provide the best possible building control service to clients, Andrew couldn’t be clearer about his work.

“Salus are about quality and service first. That’s what’s kept me here.”

For someone who joined with reservations about the independent sector, that is a powerful endorsement and after a decade with the business, his view is simple.

“I don’t know of any local authority or private building control organisation that is better.”

Thank You

We are proud to celebrate this 10-year milestone and grateful for the expertise, professionalism and commitment Andrew has brought to Salus over the past decade. His story reflects many of the values that continue to shape our business today: professionalism, integrity, quality and a commitment to doing the right thing. Thank you for ten years of service, support and dedication. We look forward to the years ahead.