CEO with long career of public service builds on regulations success with an Honorary award

The University of Wolverhampton has recognised the achievements of the country’s pre-eminent leader in public service building control. 

Honorary awards are presented by the University of Wolverhampton to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise. 

Lorna Stimpson, chief executive of LABC, has been awarded a Doctor of Technology. 

Lorna spearheads LABC’s work promoting excellence in building control, improved building safety standards, the implementation of the Building Safety Act and associated legislation, and the qualification and registration of the building control profession. 

Her career in public service building control spans over 30 years, during which she has held roles from building control surveyor to senior managerial positions. Lorna became LABC’s chief executive in 2019. 

Under her leadership, LABC provides public sector building control with technical guidance, accredited education, performance standards and validation assessments for 3,500 building control surveyors and technicians working for councils across England and Wales and leads on the recruitment and qualification of new talent into the sector. 

Lorna is active in many statutory committees and government working groups focused on improving regulation, competence and safety, and is well respected by government and leading figures such as Dame Judith Hackitt for providing sound and coherent advice.  

Lorna said: “Throughout my career, my focus has always been on public safety, standards, education and competence, and so I have made it my mission to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of people in their homes and places where they work and play. That mission will never cease, and I recognise there’s much still to do. 

“One of my proudest achievements is the implementation of the LABC Academy. With incredible trust, help and support from English and Welsh Governments, we have recruited and trained over 150 trainees with the same public service ethos into building control in the past 16 months, with more to come. The trainees earn while they learn, just as I did, and I’m delighted that many of them will transition onto the University of Wolverhampton degree after completing their level 5 education with us – the first intake is in January next year.  

“Thank you, University of Wolverhampton, for the excellent skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours that you are helping us instil in these learners. Together, we are creating a new generation of highly skilled, professional building control surveyors and for that I’m very proud. 

“I’m also hugely grateful and delighted by today’s award of this Honorary degree, Doctor of Technology. I am here not just because of what I’ve been lucky enough to do in my career, but because of the support and talents of many others too, and I hope they can share in my pride that our work is recognised and seen for the positive impacts we can have in the world.” 

The University’s graduation ceremonies are taking place at University of Wolverhampton The Halls from Friday 6 September to Friday 13 September 2024.  

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us.      

After graduation, graduates become members of the Alumni Association and are encouraged to keep in touch, to take advantage of a wide range of benefits and support on offer, including a discount for postgraduate study.      

To learn more about the University’s Alumni Association please visit here, where graduates can also update their details with the Association.    

The Clearing hotline number is 01902 323 232 for anyone looking for courses starting in September and to find out more about our Open Days, visit our website.   

ENDS