Mr Gary Harris
Overview
I am a health and safety professional and Director of Abbey, specialising in Principal Designer and CDM advisory services across commercial, retail, and complex refurbishment projects.
I am a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (FIIRSM).
My focus is simple: ensuring risks are properly designed out at the earliest stage and that projects remain compliant, buildable, and commercially viable throughout.
I work closely with clients, design teams, and contractors to challenge assumptions, close gaps in Pre-Construction Information, and ensure that duties under CDM 2015 are clearly defined, understood, and delivered.
I take a proactive, delivery-focused role rather than a purely advisory position. This includes:
- Leading design risk management and coordination
- Reviewing and strengthening Pre-Construction Information
- Challenging buildability and sequencing risks
- Supporting Principal Contractors with Construction Phase Plan reviews
- Ensuring Health and Safety Files are complete, usable, and aligned with operational needs
I have supported a wide range of clients including national retail brands, energy providers, and high-volume refurbishment programmes where programme pressure and live environments create additional risk.
My approach is pragmatic, commercially aware, and focused on outcomes rather than paperwork.
Specialisms
| Industry | Years Experience |
|---|---|
| Construction | 37 |
| Food and drink manufacture | 10 |
| Topic | Years Experience |
|---|---|
| Managing for health and safety | 23 |
| Risk management | 23 |
| Workplace health advice | 23 |
Services
Fees
Fees are project-specific and reflect the scope, risk profile, and level of Principal Designer involvement required.
Typical commissions range from small-scale advisory support through to full Principal Designer appointments across multi-phase refurbishment and fit-out programmes.
All proposals are structured to ensure:
- Clear definition of scope and deliverables
- Alignment with project programme and risk profile
- Proportionate resource allocation to avoid over or under servicing
Fixed fees are generally provided following initial review of project information, including scope, programme, and existing Pre-Construction Information.
Early engagement is recommended to maximise value through effective design risk management and to avoid unnecessary downstream cost and programme impacts.
Construction Work
Provision of Principal Designer services in accordance with CDM 2015, supporting Clients from project inception through to completion.
Focused on proactive design risk management, coordination of the design team, and ensuring that risks are eliminated or reduced at source rather than managed during construction.
Involvement typically includes early-stage input to influence design decisions, review and development of Pre-Construction Information, and ongoing engagement with designers and contractors to maintain compliance and buildability.
Strong emphasis on challenging assumptions, identifying gaps, and ensuring that duties are clearly understood and discharged across the project team.
- Pre-Construction Information (reviewed, developed, or enhanced)
- Design risk register and ongoing risk management records
- Records of design coordination and risk workshops
- Formal advice to the Client on CDM dutyholder compliance
- F10 notification (where applicable)
- Health and Safety File (prepared or coordinated)
- Principal Designer handover documentation (where role transfers)
Work History
| Role | From - To | Job Title / Description |
|---|---|---|
| Director / Principal Designer ABBEY CCL | 08.2016 - 04.2026 | Director and lead Principal Designer delivering CDM advisory services across infrastructure, renewable energy, and complex refurbishment projects. Responsible for supporting Clients in discharging their duties under CDM 2015, with a strong focus on design risk management, coordination of design teams, and development of robust Pre-Construction Information. Regularly engaged on large-scale and multi-site programmes, including solar PV rollouts, estate decarbonisation, and refurbishment works in live operational environments. Key responsibilities include:
Projects include major infrastructure and renewable energy schemes, as well as complex works in occupied and operational environments. |
| Civil Engineer / Project Manager East Riding of Yorkshire Council | 06.2008 - 06.2016 | Delivered civil engineering and infrastructure projects across highways, drainage, and public realm schemes. Managed projects from design through to construction and handover, coordinating contractors and ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety requirements. Developed foundational experience in construction delivery, risk management, and public sector project coordination. |
Membership of Professional Bodies
| Professional Body | Membership | Member since | OSHCR Eligible Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIRSM | Fellow (FIIRSM) | 04.2026 | 04.2026 |
Qualifications
| Accrediting Institute | Type | Qualification | Date passed |
|---|---|---|---|
| City & Guilds | Diploma | NVQ diploma in occupational health and safety practice | 02.2016 |
| NEBOSH | Certificate | Management of health and safety | 08.2013 |
| NEBOSH | Certificate | National certificate in construction health and safety | 08.2013 |
Further Information
Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (FIIRSM) with extensive experience delivering Principal Designer services across infrastructure, renewable energy, and complex refurbishment projects.
Background in civil engineering provides a strong understanding of construction delivery, enabling a practical approach to design risk management and CDM compliance.
Regularly engaged on projects involving live operational environments, fast-track programmes, and multi-site delivery, where balancing safety, programme, and commercial constraints is critical.
Case Studies
| Title / Description | PDF Download |
|---|---|
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(PDF 188.40 KB) |