Derisk (UK) Limited is a specialist CDM and construction risk consultancy, trusted to provide clarity, structure and safety leadership across complex live environments. We support clients, designers and contractors by simplifying risk, elevating compliance standards and enabling predictable, safe project delivery, from concept to completion.

With an ambitious programme of refurbishments spanning multiple buildings – each with unique histories, conditions and technical demands – Derisk (UK) Limited has been appointed as both CDM Client Advisor and CDM Principal Designer across the Lancaster West Estate.

Partnering with RBKC’s Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team, this dual appointment brings both challenge and opportunity, with our remit centred on supporting safe, coordinated and compliant delivery across a diverse and evolving refurbishment landscape.

What the Refurbishment Programme Aims to Achieve

RBKC’s strategic goal for Lancaster West Estate is to transform it into a model 21st-century carbon-neutral social housing estate by 2030 – supported by a significant financial investment.

Key Objectives for 2026

• Decarbonisation of the estate
  Supporting RBKC’s aspiration to become carbon-neutral by 2030.
• Deep retrofit of homes
  Introducing modern, energy-efficient upgrades such as triple-glazing, insulation and air-source heat pumps.
• Resident-led improvements
  Co-designing solutions to address issues such as damp, mould and energy inefficiency.
• Sustainability & Cost Reduction
  Deploying technologies, including solar PV and smart systems, to lower energy use and reduce residents’ bills.

Challenges & Our Role

Working in a Highly Populated Residential Environment

Working in a live, highly populated residential estate brings a unique set of sensitivities. As CDM Principal Designer and CDM Advisor to the Client, our role focuses on coordinating, guiding and influencing appointed designers so that foreseeable significant risks are identified and reduced throughout the pre-construction phase.

• Supporting designers to manage design risks in occupied buildings
  Helping design teams recognise foreseeable hazards affecting residents, staff and contractors, and guiding them toward safer, more practical design approaches.
• Advising designers on safeguarding and access in a live environment
  Offering specialist guidance so design proposals incorporate safe access/egress, suitable segregation and realistic construction sequencing around resident movement.
• Coordinating designers across multiple technical scopes
  Bringing together fire safety, retrofit, MEP, building fabric and sustainability designers to maintain consistent risk management and clear communication across all interfaces.
• Influencing design teams to consider complex system integrations
  Prompting design teams to assess the risk implications of new systems — such as heat pumps, triple glazing, PV or ventilation upgrades — to avoid creating new safety issues.
• Challenging design proposals that could drive intrusive or unsafe construction
  Highlighting where certain solutions may result in excessive noise, disruption or high-risk methods in occupied homes, and steering teams toward safer alternatives.
• Facilitating consistent CDM governance across multiple projects
  Maintaining coordinated risk information, prompting timely updates, and helping the client monitor CDM compliance across the estate-wide refurbishment programme.
• Highlighting resident needs and community sensitivities within design decisions
  Embedding the priorities of residents, LWNT into design coordination discussions so proposed solutions support wellbeing, privacy and safe access throughout delivery.

These challenges align closely with our statutory responsibilities as Principal Designer under CDM 2015, particularly in planning, managing and coordinating the pre-construction phase, and they also shape the advice we provide to help the client fulfil their duties while delivering work safely across a live residential estate.

Our Dual Role: CDM Principal Designer & Client Advisor

Acting in both capacities enables us to provide a coherent, consistent and coordinated approach to CDM compliance and the management of design-related risk across the estate.

We:

• Provide RBKC with clear, competent and practical CDM guidance
• Lead the coordination of design-risk management across multiple complex scopes
• Support and influence designers to identify, communicate and reduce foreseeable risks
• Support project managers and contractors with accurate, robust CDM documentation
• Maintain estate-wide CDM governance and consistent safety standards
• Promote resident safety and encourage practical, user-focused design decisions

Our Key Contribution

Our work centres on proactive risk management, collaboration, and clarity.

By identifying risks early, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and maintaining strong oversight during the pre-construction phase, we strengthen decision-making and support safer, more predictable construction outcomes.

Desired Outcomes of Our Service Delivery

As a result of our involvement in planning, managing and coordinating the pre-construction phase, the estate benefits from:

• Safer, more coordinated design information, with clearer identification and communication of risks
• Reduced construction-phase risks, supported by earlier detection and better management of critical interfaces
• Greater resident confidence and improved communication, reflecting a community-focused approach to design risk discussions
• More predictable project delivery, with fewer delays linked to design coordination or incomplete risk information
• A consistent and robust CDM approach applied across all refurbishment projects on the estate

These outcomes support RBKC’s strategic goals and align with the expectations of the Lancaster West community for safe, sustainable and well-planned refurbishment works.

Looking Ahead

We are proud to continue supporting Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team as they deliver a safer, greener and more resilient future for the community.

If you’re delivering large-scale refurbishment or estate-wide programmes and want robust, practical CDM leadership – let’s connect.