A member of DBCP’s team is celebrating a significant career milestone this year. 2025 sees Business Operations Manager, Salinda Kaur reach 40 years in the building control sector delivering building control services across Derbyshire.
She has been a key part of DBCP’s technical team since the business was established in 2017, joining from Derby City Council, where she began her career in Building Control.
David Pratt, DBCP’s Building Control Manager, added: “Salinda’s dedication and hard work have made a significant impact not only on our team but also on the many clients that she has guided over the years. We are incredibly grateful for her unwavering commitment.
Starting Out
For any young person soon to leave school and considering a career path, read about Salinda’s route which is as relevant today as it was in 1985.
Salinda’s journey began on 15 April 1985, when she joined the finance department at Derby City Council. On her second day in the job, she was asked to assist the Building Control admin team due to a staffing shortage. Over 14,600 days later, Salinda is still happy at her work, supporting clients and colleagues.
Salinda recalled: “Initially I had no idea what Building Control was all about. I was soon up to speed and I knew really quickly that it was a great fit for me. I’ve always loved all things property and development. Seeing what is happening in the neighbourhoods around me, getting insights into architects plans and designs – I was in my element. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had just stepped into my forever career.”
A Sinking Feeling
Having spent 40 years helping deliver Building Control services across Derbyshire, it will come as no surprise that Salinda has experienced ups and downs. Early in her career, Salinda was taken on a site visit to see for herself the steps during a construction build and to gain understanding of the stages of inspection required.
This trip, on a winter’s day, would go on to play a defining role in Salinda’s career choices moving forward. Salinda recalled: “For any new starter in this sector, it is vital to get out on site and see for yourself the role of Building Control in action. It was such an important part of my training; knowing the processes and procedures meant that I would be able to understand the concerns and requests of both the clients and the inspectors.”
Salinda found this trip to be enlightening in more than one way. She explained: “As my colleague went across the site to have a word with the contractors, I waited patiently for them to come back. Before I could do anything about it, I realised that my wellington boots were quickly sinking into the winter mud, with me in them! The builders kindly pulled me out, however, my wellington boots remained in the mud. I was soon back in the warm, wearing my own mud-free stiletto heels. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to work ‘off-site’ in the Building Control HQ.”
Despite the initial ‘sinking feeling’, Salinda’s determination and willingness to learn quickly made her an invaluable asset to the team. Her ability to handle situations with efficiency and sense of humour set the stage for her future success.
Unsurprisingly, Salinda has been office-based since. In her role of Operations Manager she provides logistical support to ensure the smooth operation of DBCP, helping to manage applications and inspections, as well as overseeing the IT database systems, Accounts, reporting, and communication with stakeholders.
Cornerstone Moments
Over the past four decades, Salinda’s expertise and guidance have been invaluable to both her colleagues and the many clients she has assisted through the building control process.
Salinda’s career to date has spanned a significant period of change in the industry. Firstly, the formation of Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) in 2017. DBCP came to life through the successful amalgamation of expertise from six Local Authority building control departments into one cohesive organisation.
DBCP has since expanded to include two further building control departments – Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and High Peak Borough Council, making it the leading provider of building control services across Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.
This transition aimed to streamline services and enhance efficiency across the region by providing consistent, high-quality building control services, ensuring safety and compliance in construction projects.
As Business Operations Manager, Salinda played a crucial role during this complex process, with the administration challenges not to be underestimated. Each Local Authority had their own IT database systems and these had to be integrated into a single one. With the help and support of her colleagues, Salinda rose to the challenge
Salinda explained: “Within six months, we had ensured a smooth and successful integration of the various systems into one, centralised IT database system. I really enjoyed working on this project. I enjoy a challenge and won’t let anything stop me when I’ve set my mind to it.”
The second seismic change to the sector during Salinda’s career came post-Grenfell disaster with the introduction of the The Building Safety Act 2022. This regulatory framework demanded several key changes to building regulations; aiming to enhance safety to ensure compliance with modern standards.
Salinda and her colleagues, had to re-evaluate the processes of gathering and logging information, as well as collating a range of inspector qualifications and documents required by the law.
The changes and their impact have required clear communication by DBCP, with Salinda and her colleagues, providing assistance to builders, architects and homeowners, advising the best way to get their paperwork in order.
Salinda explained: “The Building Safety Act 2022 changed so much of our role within the construction industry. The landscape of our remit was redefined and I have been proud to be part of the dynamic team at DBCP who have risen to the challenge and ensured that the quality service that we provide to our communities has continued into this new era.”
Next Move
As Salinda celebrates her 40-year career milestone, she reflects on her Building Control journey, Salinda shared: “I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had over the past 40 years. Working with such a dedicated team and helping our clients navigate the building control process has been immensely rewarding. I look forward to continuing to contribute to our team’s success and supporting our community.”
Congratulating Salinda on her career milestone, David Pratt added: “Thank you for everything you do for us at DBCP.”
For expert building control advice and guidance, please get in touch with the DBCP team here or call 0333 880 2000.