7 Questions with Liam Shepherd

Welcome to “7 Questions with BB7“, our new interview series celebrating the people who make BB7 what it is. Over the coming months, I’ll be speaking with everyone from admin support and operations to engineers, consultants and directors.

Our teams bring a wealth of knowledge and heaps of personality to everything they do, and this series is your chance to get to know them. From career journeys to day-to-day doings, I’ll be sharing their stories, perspectives and words of wisdom.

Kicking things off, I caught up with Liam Shepherd, who recently joined BB7 to lead our newly launched Façade Access and Maintenance Consultancy service line. With almost two decades of experience and a portfolio spanning iconic projects across the UK and internationally, Liam gives us a glimpse into his journey, his approach, and what’s next for façade access at BB7.

1. Welcome! You’ve recently joined BB7 to lead a brand-new service line. What drew you to this company, and what excites you most about this next chapter?

Thank you. I have known Ben Bradford (CEO), and Dominic Way (Director of Glasgow) for a number of years. When Ben initially contacted me to discuss starting a new service line I was sold pretty quickly. Ben’s passion for the business was infectious and I was well aware of BB7’s solid reputation in industry. This was further validated recently with BB7 being shortlisted as a finalist for Engineering Consultant of the Year at the Building Awards 2025.

2. You’ve set up façade access teams before. What have you learned from those experiences that you’re bringing to BB7?

That is correct. I have set up and grown façade access teams before for D2E and Wintech. Both journeys were slightly different as each business had different core engineering offerings with different client bases. I think the key message I have ascertained over the years and which my team will be bringing to BB7, is to keep it clear, be honest and continue to innovate.

3. For those less familiar, what exactly is façade access consultancy and why does it matter now more than ever before?

Façade access and maintenance refers to the systems, equipment, and procedures used to safely reach and work on the exterior surfaces (façades) of buildings, for tasks such as cleaning, inspections, general maintenance and façade/glass replacement. Putting in place a safe system for persons to work on the exterior of a building is a legal requirement under CDM Regulations. Not only that, but a robust Access & Maintenance strategy helps maintain building appearance and property value as well as upholding façade warranties.

Engaging a façade access consultant early in the design process is becoming more important than ever before due to the ever-increasing complexity of modern façade systems.

4. You’ve said before “Façade access is often seen as an afterthought”, why do you think that is, and what are the risks of leaving it too late?

Yes. Unfortunately, façade access is still seen as an afterthought on some projects. The risk of leaving it too late or getting it wrong can be very costly.

We are sometimes introduced into the Design Team as late as RIBA stage 4. By this point, there can be severe restrictions for access equipment at roof level or ground level due to developed MEP layouts and co-ordinated landscape designs. This can lead to the implementation of a strategy that wouldn’t be the first choice when starting from a blank canvas. If the building ends up with a strategy that is low down on the Hierarchy of Risk due to poor planning, the building owner is putting themselves at risk with the HSE should a future incident occur.

Another risk we often see is the failure to implement a robust glass replacement strategy at the design stage. Hiring in large mobile cranes for example as an afterthought can have a huge impact on disruption to surrounding roads as well as a significant cost outlay to the building owner/occupants.

5. What’s been the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and what made it so memorable?

There have been many, but one of the most challenging would be the Piccadilly Lights (London) Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) replacement.

In 2017, Land Securities and Daktronics replaced the original iconic advertising screens on Piccadilly Lights with a single, curved, 4K LED screen. The new screen is the largest single display in Europe, measuring about 780 square meters (8,400 square feet). Safe and quick access for maintaining the new screens was paramount.

My team and I were responsible for developing the design of a new bespoke BMU. The most challenging aspect of the project wasn’t the fact that the new system had to be concealed from view behind the screens, which was difficult, but managing the installation of the equipment over a very short programme to tie in with the switch-off and switch on of the new screens.

6. What’s your vision for the Façade Access & Maintenance team at BB7 over the next few years?

My vision over the next few years at BB7 is to establish BB7 as the most knowledgeable and innovative façade access consultancy in the UK.

A big part of the vision also includes sharing our experience and knowledge with the wider industry. Our goal is to help in working towards a more aligned Façade Access industry. The first step in this process will be our Accredited Façade Access CPD which we will be taking on the road soon. The CPD will be available to Architects, Developers and Main Contractors.

7. And finally – when you’re not thinking about building maintenance units or rope access, how do you unwind?

I most enjoy spending my spare time with my family. The remainder of my free time is typically filled with sporting activities. I love going to watch football, and enjoy cycling and running. My biggest recent achievements I am most proud of include running the Paris and Edinburgh marathons.

Thank you to Liam for taking the time to share his story with us today, we hope you’ve enjoyed reading it.

Do you have a question about façade access solutions?
Or a project that needs façade access consultancy?

Visit our Façade Access Consultancy page for more information, or email Liam Shepherd at liamshepherd@bbseven.com