Clearbell Capital founder and senior partner Manish Chande has been appointed as a non-executive director of the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Board of the Houses of Parliament.
The board has been tasked with restoring the historic Houses of Parliament to ensure it is fit for purpose going forwards.
Chande said in a statement: “It is a true honour to be appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Board. The Houses of Parliament are an iconic symbol of the UK’s democracy, and the work of the Delivery Authority is vital to safeguarding their future.
“The R&R Programme remains firmly on track, with the Delivery Authority continuing to make strong progress in delivering critical work to inform the costed proposals to be presented to both Houses of Parliament later this year.
“The Delivery Authority Board brings together a diverse range of experience and expertise to oversee and guide the organisation’s work. I look forward to contributing to this important mission.”
The Palace of Westminster is part of a UNESCO world heritage site which has played a role in the country's political history for 900 years and is in need of significant work.
The Palace of Westminster, built 150 years ago at the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, covers 34 acres and has 1,100 rooms. There are over 14 miles of pipework and roughly 250 miles of cabling across the Palace, connecting its water, electric, sewage, and gas systems, many of which have reached the end of their lifespan. There are 65 different floor levels and over 100 staircases, and only 12% of the Palace has step-free access.
Both House administrations are actively engaged in ongoing maintenance to ensure safety on the estate, but a more comprehensive restoration programme is essential to address the ageing infrastructure, asbestos, deteriorating masonry, and outdated mechanical, electrical and other critical systems.