The APS has appointed Sofie Hooper as deputy chief executive officer. She joins APS from her role as head of policy and research at the 11,500-strong global membership body the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM).
Hooper has spent much of her career as a public policy adviser across a range of policies and internationally, predominantly in the UK and the EU. While spearheading IWFM’s Building Safety policy strategy, she co-authored the key industry post-Grenfell report Safer people, safer homes: Building Safety Management and provided regular liaison with the Building Safety Regulator, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other key policy units.
This helped to influence the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022. Hooper was also instrumental in securing the inclusion of The Building Safety Alliance into pre-legislative parliamentary and government reports.
In her new role as deputy CEO at APS, Hooper will report to CEO Andrew Leslie. With this newly created position, APS will be better able to advance the development and delivery of initiatives as part of its strategy to provide a centre of competence on all things related to building safety.
She will focus on policy, outreach, and strategy development, leading on initiatives such as the APS competence and training schemes and collaborating with other professional bodies and business partners.
Organisational capability
Moreover, her past experience is ideally suited to help improve APS’s organisational capability and to deliver the upskilling members need by meeting the ever-increasing demand for specialist courses on building and fire regulations in the four UK jurisdictions.
Commenting on her appointment, Hooper said: “For three decades, APS has been the driving force in improving health and safety standards within the construction industry. I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation that continually strives to put excellence and innovation in building safety front and centre of a progressive agenda.
“I’m looking forward to engaging with APS members and our stakeholders to ensure best practice in building safety is not just vigorously upheld but proactively sought after.”
Leslie commented: “APS is delighted to welcome Sofie to the APS team in the newly created post of deputy CEO. Sofie has a proven track record within the built environment and will add considerable knowledge and experience to the APS senior management team, and in particular provide essential additional support and expertise to enable both the president and CEO to deliver the APS strategy."
His words were echoed by APS president Mark Snelling: "APS is extremely privileged to have Sofie join us as deputy CEO. Sofie is highly respected within the industry and has been closely connected with the changes that have followed the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.
“I look forward to working with Sofie and Andrew our CEO to ensure the APS both supports our members and drives the change that is required to ensure that the tragedy at Grenfell Tower is not repeated."
Hooper takes up her new position with immediate effect.
