As we move further into 2026, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) continue to form the cornerstone of health and safety in UK construction projects. With ongoing industry emphasis on compliance—driven by enforcement trends, the legacy of the Building Safety Act, and persistent common pitfalls—the Principal Designer remains one of the most influential duty holders for preventing harm and ensuring project success.
The Principal Designer is appointed by the client to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase on any project involving (or likely to involve) more than one contractor. This role is vital because design decisions made early in the lifecycle have the greatest potential to eliminate or control foreseeable risks—risks that could otherwise lead to accidents on site, health issues for workers, or long-term maintenance hazards for building users.
HSE guidance consistently highlights that the Principal Designer influences safety throughout the entire project: from concept design through construction and into future use, maintenance, and demolition. By coordinating designers, providing clear pre-construction information, liaising with the Principal Contractor, and maintaining the health and safety file, they help embed safety into the project's DNA—reducing incidents, avoiding costly rework, and demonstrating robust compliance.
Recent industry insights from 2025–2026 underscore persistent challenges, including late appointments, inadequate competence checks, and failures to address construction risks in design. HSE enforcement actions continue to target non-compliant designers, reinforcing that CDM duties are not optional. Effective Principal Designers deliver safer sites, smoother handovers, and defensible records that protect clients and teams alike.
"In a notable case from Summer 2025, Glovers Court Ltd was fined £165,000 (plus £10,512 in costs) by Preston Magistrates' Court following HSE prosecution. The company—now in liquidation—was found guilty of breaching CDM 2015 Regulations 11 and 13 (requiring coordination of health and safety matters in the pre-construction and construction phases), alongside offences for ignoring enforcement notices during a warehouse-to-apartments redevelopment in Preston. This rare prosecution of Principal Designer-related duties highlights persistent issues with inadequate coordination and risk management early in projects, serving as a stark reminder of the severe financial, reputational, and operational consequences of non-compliance."
At Aspis Consulting Group, we help organisations meet this vital responsibility with confidence. Our SHE & Fire specialists deliver practical, tailored support aligned to your project's needs and scale. We assist by:
Evaluating and ensuring appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and organisational capability for the Principal Designer role.
Seamlessly integrating design risk management from initial concepts onward.
Coordinating pre-construction information, risk elimination/control measures, and effective cross-team liaison.
Aligning CDM duties with wider safety frameworks for sustainable, audit-ready results.
Whether you're a client appointing a Principal Designer, a design professional requiring expert guidance, or a business navigating regulatory evolution, Aspis provides clarity, integrity, and accountability—without excess bureaucracy.
Ready to fortify your CDM strategy and prioritise safety from the start? Contact us to discuss tailored support for your Principal Designer responsibilities.