Meet the Team: Umayr Chowdhury joins Harwood’s Milton Keynes office

 

As demand for our services continues to grow nationwide, so too does our team. The latest addition is Umayr Chowdhury, who joins as a Project Manager at our Milton Keynes office. We sat down with Umayr to hear more about his journey into Building Control, his start at Harwood, and what excites him most about the role.

Background & early career

Umayr began his journey into Building Control in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he was looking for a new direction after leaving university, where he had been studying English Literature. “It really wasn’t for me,” he reflects. After working in a library for a while, Umayr decided he wanted to return to education – but in a way that also allowed him to gain hands-on experience.

That’s when he came across a Building Control degree apprenticeship with Islington Council. Although he didn’t know much about Building Control at first, he quickly realised that the role suited him. “Once I got started, I found I really enjoyed the balance of scrutinising plans and being out on site,” he explains.

Over the next four years, Umayr gained broad experience in domestic projects, achieved a First-Class Honours degree in Building Control, and became chartered with both CABE and CIOB.

Moving into commercial work

After completing his degree, Umayr joined a private building control provider. There, he built further experience with both domestic and commercial schemes and achieved his Class 2F status. But he was eager to move more deeply into the commercial sector.

“That was the stage where I wanted to focus on larger commercial projects,” he says. “So, I started looking around for a role that would meet my ambitions, and that’s when I spoke with Jason Lee, Building Control Manager at the Milton Keynes office.”

Joining Harwood Building Control

A call with Jason Lee helped confirm that Harwood was the right fit. “We had a 15-minute call booked, but we ended up talking for half an hour,” Umayr recalls. “It felt like a really good fit – both in terms of the role and the type of projects I’d be working on.”

Since joining Harwood, Umayr has already been involved in a range of commercial projects. Early responsibilities have included work on schools, healthcare centres, hotel refurbishments, and social housing fire safety upgrades – allowing him to apply his knowledge and expand his experience on complex, high-profile schemes. Umayr Adds:

“I’ve been involved in lots of projects already and I’m thoroughly enjoying the complexities of the commercial projects and getting involved in different sectors.”

Expertise and approach

Umayr enjoys the variety and responsibility of Building Control. “I’m not someone who likes to sit at a desk all day. I enjoy being out on site, interacting with people, and building strong relationships with clients,” he says. “When it comes to attention to detail, I’ve always been good at spotting issues – and this role allows me to put that to good use.”

For him, the most rewarding part of the job is ensuring projects are delivered to the right standard and fully compliant with building regulations. “It’s satisfying to identify areas that might be non-compliant, whether that be the architectural drawings or being on-site, and at the same time build good working relationships with clients and contractors,” he explains.

Settling in at the Milton Keynes office

Although he is still settling into the Milton Keynes office, Umayr says the team have been extremely supportive. “Any time I’ve got a query, there’s always someone I can reach out to, and people respond quickly — whether it’s technical or admin-related,” he says. “Having that support helps me develop my skills, and it’s a great feeling knowing you’re surrounded by people who are always willing to help.”

Umayr is keen to contribute to Harwood’s presence in the Milton Keynes area and to work closely with Jason and the rest of the team. Having settled in well, Jason commented:

“Umayr has slotted into the team brilliantly. His enthusiasm for learning, especially in the commercial sector, is exactly what we look for at Harwood. He’s already making a real impact, and I’m excited to see how he develops with us.”

Plans to grow his knowledge

For now, Umayr is focused on consolidating his experience across a wide range of commercial projects. In the future, he aims to progress to Class 3 – but only when the time is right. “I’d like to really get comfortable in my role and be well-versed in a range of projects before moving up,” he says. “That way, I know I’m building a strong foundation as I progress.”

Would he recommend a career in Building Control? “Definitely. It’s for individuals who enjoy a challenge, want to continue learning, and strive to be at the forefront of development. You never feel like you’re repeating the same thing — there’s always something new to tackle.”

Connect with Umayr on LinkedIn

If you’d like to enquire about our building control services or want to learn more about how Harwood can support your next project, please get in touch.