From the tools to Building Control: Meet Jack Stocks, Project Manager

Harwood is pleased to welcome Jack Stocks as Project Manager, joining our Sheffield team.

Jack brings a strong practical and technical background, alongside a clear ambition to develop his experience across larger commercial projects. His appointment supports Harwood’s continued growth across the North of England and the Midlands.

We spoke to Jack about his route into Building Control, his first impressions of Harwood and his ambitions for the future.

Building experience from the ground up

Jack began his construction career in 2015 as an apprentice carpenter, achieving a Level 2 qualification in Carpentry. Keen to broaden his technical knowledge, he went on to complete an MSc in Building Surveying before spending two years working as a Building Surveyor.

In 2022, Jack moved into Building Control as an Assistant Building Inspector. He has since achieved Class 2A and Class 2BD Registered Building Inspector status.

With four years’ experience in private sector Building Control, Jack is now focused on expanding his commercial project experience and progressing towards Class 3GH registration.

Based in Nottingham, he will support Building Control Manager Scott Smith and the wider Sheffield team, while also working with colleagues in Milton Keynes.

From the tools to a technical career

Jack’s progression from carpenter to Building Control professional demonstrates how practical construction experience can provide a valuable foundation for a technical career.

“I wanted to progress and open up more opportunities,” Jack explains. “While completing my master’s degree, I secured an internship with a building surveying company and stayed there for two years before moving into Building Control.”

His building surveying work primarily involved property damage and insurance claims. Inspecting buildings that had been damaged or opened up during investigations gave Jack a detailed understanding of building fabric, construction methods and the causes of defects.

Combined with his experience on the tools, it provided a strong foundation for his move into Building Control.

“Working on site gives you a fundamental understanding of how buildings are put together,” he says. “You can learn the theory from a book, but seeing construction in practice is extremely valuable.

Moving into Building Control

When Jack entered the private sector Building Control in 2022 as an Assistant Building Inspector, he initially achieved Class 2A registration before progressing to Class 2BD Registered Building Inspector status.

Working within a registered profession has reinforced the importance of competence, ethics and clearly defined responsibilities.

“Building Control plays an important role in protecting the health and safety of people using buildings,” Jack says. “We must work in accordance with the Building Regulations and relevant professional standards.”

Jack also entered the profession during a significant period of change, experiencing the transition to the current regulatory framework under the Building Safety Regulator and Registered Building Inspector regime.

“The changes have created a clearer distinction between providing design advice and performing a regulatory role,” he explains. “That separation is important because it helps everyone understand where responsibility sits.”

Why Jack joined Harwood

Having gained considerable experience across residential projects, Jack was ready to broaden his commercial portfolio and take on larger, more complex projects.

Harwood’s growing Sheffield team offered the opportunity he was looking for.

“I want to continue progressing through the RBI classifications,” he says. “To do that, I need experience of more complex buildings.

“Harwood delivers a wide range of commercial projects, which aligns closely with my ambitions and made the role a strong fit.”

Professional development is an important part of Harwood’s approach, and the support available was a significant factor in Jack’s decision to join.

“The team understood that I was keen to develop and still relatively early in my career,” he says. “They had the type of projects I wanted to work on, while the Sheffield office needed additional support as its workload grew. It felt like the right fit for everyone.”

A strong start

Jack’s first few weeks at Harwood have reinforced his decision.

“Within my first couple of days, I was assigned projects that were exactly what I had been looking for,” he says. “That confirmed I had made the right move.”

Jack has taken responsibility for an established portfolio while beginning to support new work across Harwood’s northern and Midlands coverage.

Jack recently visited Harwood’s Canterbury office, allowing him to meet colleagues from across the business and strengthen those wider connections.

“Everyone has been very welcoming,” he says. “Scott is always available when I need support, and if he is on site, I can speak to Mo (Technical, Training & Compliance Manager). The administration team has also been extremely helpful.

“It was useful to put faces to names. Although I am comfortable working independently, having that connection with the wider team is still important.”

That balance between autonomy and collaboration is something Jack values.

“I enjoy the flexibility and variety of the role,” he says. “I like managing my own time and workload, while knowing the wider team is available when I need support.”

Building a broader project portfolio

During his first year at Harwood, Jack wants to build his portfolio across more complex projects and demonstrate the competencies required to progress through the RBI classifications.

Jack’s long-term ambition is to achieve Class 3GH registration and become a Chartered Member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.

“My immediate priority is to gain more exposure to Class 2D projects before becoming involved in the 2C, 2E and 2F work I will need for my portfolio,” he explains.

Encouraging more people into the profession

Jack believes his career demonstrates that a trade background can provide a strong route into Building Control.

With the profession facing an ongoing skills and capacity challenge, he would encourage other tradespeople to consider building on their practical experience and moving into a technical role.

“The profession has lost a great deal of experience in recent years, so there is an opportunity for new people to become involved,” he says.

“Tradespeople already understand construction sites and how buildings are assembled. That practical knowledge can provide an excellent foundation for a career in Building Control.”

With access to a growing commercial portfolio and support from Harwood’s experienced technical team, he is now focused on continuing that progression.

“It has been a rewarding journey so far,” he concludes. “I understand the importance of the role and look forward to developing my experience further.”

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn

Could Harwood be the next step in your career? Explore Harwood’s current vacancies and discover where a career with the business could take you.