Meet the Team: Mo Hussain, Technical, Training & Compliance Manager

 

We’re proud to have a team of experts dedicated to raising standards across the industry, and our people are at the heart of what we do.

We caught up with Mo Hussain, our new Technical, Training & Compliance Manager, to hear more about his journey, his objectives, and why developing people is central to his work.

A journey built on ambition and learning

Mo’s route into building control began early. After starting as a trainee site manager for a ground-working company, he soon realised his passion lay elsewhere.

“I was managing teams of forty- and fifty-year-olds at 17,” Mo recalls. “It was a great experience, but it wasn’t for me – I wanted a role where I could build a long-term career and still enjoy what I was doing.” This determination led him to pursue a trainee role in building control.

“I was fortunate enough to be taken on, as it wasn’t something the company had done before,” he explains. “I was completing my qualifications while gaining hands-on experience.”

From there, Mo progressed rapidly through his qualifications – moving from a Level 3 in Professional Construction to a Higher National Certificate alongside a Level 4 NVQ in Construction Management, and then to a Level 6 in Building Control – completing what was intended to be a two-year programme in just seven weeks.

His drive saw him achieve chartered status with CABE and move into increasingly senior roles, from Building Control Surveyor to Principal Inspector, managing commercial portfolios and mentoring recruits along the way.

What attracted Mo to Harwood

After several senior positions, including management roles in both private and local authority settings, Mo was ready for a challenge that brought together everything he loved about building control.

“When I came across the opportunity at Harwood, it just clicked,” he says. “It’s the dream role; it combines the things I’m most passionate about – technical standards, training and development, and compliance.”

Since joining, Mo has wasted no time getting stuck in. “One of my first tasks was to develop the policy for projects Harwood acquired following Assent’s collapse and to overhaul the training and development plans completely,” he explains. “We’re now introducing tailored training and one-to-one development plans for our Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs).”

Setting priorities

Mo’s focus for his first year at Harwood is clear: to streamline systems, strengthen competence, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

“One of my goals is to ensure our policies and procedures are up to date and fully aligned with current legislation,” he says. “In the short term, we’re developing a training plan to upskill our existing team. In the medium term, we’ll be taking on more RBIs, and the long-term vision is to create a sustainable ‘conveyor belt’ of future RBIs by engaging with colleges and universities.”

Tackling the industry-wide shortage

Recent challenges facing the building control sector – including the shortage of RBIs and the news surrounding the collapse of Assent Building Control – highlight an issue Mo is passionate about tackling. As Technical, Training & Compliance Manager, he is committed to initiatives that attract and develop new talent, ensuring the next generation is ready to step up.

“Across the industry, we’re seeing a large proportion of experienced inspectors approaching retirement,” he explains. “We need to start taking on people at the entry level, giving them structured development, and preparing the next generation to take on those roles.”

On training, compliance, and the role of AI

Mo’s role also involves keeping Harwood at the forefront of technical development. This includes exploring how technology can support, rather than replace, human expertise – particularly in areas such as AI, something Mo is passionate about.

“Artificial Intelligence is already here, whether we like it or not,” he says. “It won’t replace the experience or judgement of a building control professional, but it can be a powerful tool. For example, AI could help identify key elements to review in a plan or make quoting more consistent. It’s about using it smartly to enhance what we do – not relying on it blindly.”

Leadership, mentorship, and developing people

Mentorship is a recurring theme throughout Mo’s career and remains one of his key motivations.

“Building control is a continuous learning curve – every day is a school day,” he says. “I’ve always believed in helping others progress, because when your team grows, the company grows with it.”

His approach to developing people starts with understanding their individual goals.

“Some want to progress quickly, others prefer to move at their own pace – and that’s fine,” Mo explains. “My role is to create clear pathways so that everyone understands how they can advance, and to make sure no one is held back unnecessarily.”

He also emphasises the importance of progressing as an industry and a business: “We must stay connected and committed to continuous improvement. That includes delivering high-quality, structured training tailored to common knowledge gaps identified across RBIs.”

Advice for the next generation

For anyone considering a career in building control, Mo offers simple but honest advice:

“Get ready to learn every day. It’s a challenging but gratifying job. It’s also one of the most stable careers in construction. The demand for skilled inspectors is huge, and if you’re willing to put the work in, the opportunities are there.”

Thinking about your next career move? Explore our vacancies and see how Harwood can support your professional growth.

Thinking about your next career move? Explore our vacancies and see how Harwood can support your professional growth.