Brian has recently retired so John Palmer, managing director, now leads a team of building control experts who underpin OWL BCS’s delivery of our building control function.
OWL Building Control Solutions was founded in 2014 on a passion for building standards and a commitment to quality. Our journey began over 30 years ago when our managing director, Brian Gerhardt, started as a trainee building inspector at Wycombe District Council. After nearly two decades in local authority, gaining extensive experience and building strong professional relationships, the move to the private sector opened new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Following senior roles in a national Approved Inspector organisation, including regional management and involvement in environmental building systems, the vision for OWL was born: to create a company that values integrity, expertise, and personal service. The name OWL, Old Wycombe Lads, reflects our roots and the friendships that inspired this venture.
What started as a small, family-supported business has grown organically into a trusted provider of building control services. Today, OWL combines deep technical knowledge with a client-focused approach, ensuring compliance and quality in every project.
Our mission is to provide a high quality, ethical, client-focused building regulations compliance service. We strive to build a business that encourages collaboration and openness, and a forward‑thinking approach.
We value our clients’ trust and aim to deliver to pre-agreed levels of service every time, and communicate clearly and honestly. We work to the highest professional standards, adhering to all legal and ethical obligations, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our team, our clients and our partners.
Our technical expertise comes from a lifetime of service in the building industry.
All of the Registered Building Inspectors who work on behalf of OWL BCS are fully qualified, monitored and regulated by the Building Safety Regulator, and work collaboratively with clients to ensure compliance with building regulations.
All of the Registered Building Inspectors who work on behalf of OWL BCS are fully qualified, monitored and regulated by the Building Safety Regulator, and work collaboratively with clients to ensure compliance with building regulations.
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