From Regional Recognition to National Success: An Outstanding Newcomer
Hertfordshire Building Control is proud to celebrate a national success, with Tom Crouch named LABC National Newcomer of the Year at the LABC Grand Finals!
Following his Central Regional win, Tom represented Hertfordshire and the wider Central Region on the national stage, where his professionalism, technical capability and calm leadership were recognised as outstanding within the building control profession.
Tom’s path into the built environment is far from traditional. Before joining Hertfordshire Building Control, he served in the Royal Marines, including deployment to Afghanistan where he worked in combat intelligence. After leaving the Armed Forces, Tom continued his public service career with the London Ambulance Service, working as an Emergency Ambulance Crewman.
Following this, Tom entered the construction industry as a tiler. His growing interest in how buildings are designed, constructed and regulated ultimately led him to apply for a role with Hertfordshire Building Control. He joined the team as an Apprentice Building Inspector in 2023, swapping blue lights and boots for Approved Documents and site inspections!
Rapid Progress and Professional Growth
Tom is currently studying on the LABC Building Control degree programme at the University of Wolverhampton and is in his third year. Alongside his studies, Tom has reached milestones well beyond what would normally be expected at this stage in a building control career. He was the first in his intake to sit and pass the BMD A BSF assessment, a complex qualification often undertaken by more experienced surveyors.
Tom now works independently at Class 2a level, managing his own geographical area within HBC’s Building Control South team.
Delivering an Excellent Building Control Service
From the outset of his career, Tom has demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service and operational resilience. During a period of staff shortage, he willingly supported the Technical Support Team, ensuring customers could continue to submit applications, make payments and book inspections, despite this sitting outside his formal role.
Working in the often complex district of Hertsmere, Tom regularly deals with poor workmanship and contravening building work. Despite being early in his career, he has already managed significant enforcement cases, serving formal notices under senior guidance and ensuring compliance with operational standards. He is known for his clear and timely communication and calm and measured responses.
Calm and Capable Under Pressure
Just a month into working independently, Tom encountered one of the more testing situations a surveyor can face. The project in question was a completed shell that had not been inspected since damp proof course level. Following a complaint, Tom took the lead, organising a site meeting with the developer and project engineer and methodically reviewing the works on site. In doing so, he identified 14 significant defects that required remedial action.
What stood out was not just the technical assessment, but the way the situation was handled. Tom communicated his findings clearly, both on-site and in writing, ensuring expectations were understood.
That same level-headed approach has seen Tom trusted with initial assessments on dangerous structures. He works alongside building owners and emergency contractors to remove immediate risks and safeguard the public.
A Well-Deserved Regional Win
Tom’s LABC Regional Newcomer of the Year award reflects both his technical ability and his integrity. Starting with limited construction experience, he has shown remarkable growth in a short period of time, balancing a demanding caseload alongside his studies.
As Tom progresses to the LABC National Awards finals in January, everyone at Hertfordshire Building Control and the wider Broste Rivers Group wishes him the very best of luck. Whatever the outcome, his regional win already marks him as an outstanding ambassador for both HBC and the building control profession as a whole.
See all LABC Central Region Winners
