Drawing upon over a century-long heritage of scientific expertise, BRE Academy provides world-class training to the construction, infrastructure, real estate, manufacturing, and public sectors.
We leverage BRE’s extensive track record of research, testing and standards development, to enable forward-thinking individuals and organisations to address defining challenges in the built environment, from decarbonisation and climate change to fire safety, through insight-driven training courses and educational resources.
Meet our experts
Mike Tofton
BIM & Digital Construction Lead
As the BIM and Digital Lead at BRE Academy, Mike brings 12 years of expertise in implementing BIM processes and authoring BIM tools, complemented by 19 years of collaboration with architects and expert digital consultants.
With a deep understanding of digital design technologies and international BIM standards, Mike’s responsibilities include creating and delivering training, developing accompanying documentation, and providing consultancy and advisory services to ensure compliance with ISO 19650 standards.
Mike also oversees various additional areas of expertise, including the Building Safety Act and Golden Thread, Digital Twins, and improving BRE products through the application of BIM.
Lee Chaston
Technical BREEAM Trainer
A BREEAM trainer, Lee’s expertise extends to various schemes such as BREEAM Communities, BREEAM New Construction, BREEAM Infrastructure, Home Quality Mark (HQM), and Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH).
A qualified gas service engineer and electrician since 1984, Lee has taken on various roles within the built environment sector. He has extensive experience as a project manager, having coordinated refurbishment projects and overseen supplier procurement and logistics, working closely with clients, designers, and architects. He has also served as a health and safety representative.
Since joining BRE in 2010, Lee has acquired multiple BREEAM qualifications and is a trusted authority in the field, training hundreds of delegates every year.
Michael Jaggs
Principal Trainer
Mike is a construction engineer with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He has a first-class honours degree in Construction Engineering and a MSc in Architecture from UCL. He is also a qualified teacher, assessor, and internal quality verifier for vocational qualifications.
Mike is an expert in airtightness, infrared thermography, Part L compliance, and energy efficiency. He works closely with many business areas to provide insights for BRE Academy and address market needs.
Through collaboration with Qualification Awarding Bodies, Mike leads on the development of qualifications and assessments in energy and fire safety. Additionally, he frequently delivers lectures to university students.
Gavin Fielding
Technical Fire Trainer
A technical fire trainer for BRE Academy, Gavin has 25 years of experience in the fire industry. He has served as an operational firefighter in the aviation sector and taken various roles in fire safety, health and safety, conflict resolution, and fire door inspection within the healthcare industry.
Throughout his career, Gavin has fulfilled advisory, training, and operational responsibilities, gaining invaluable insights and expertise along the way.
Gavin collaborates with organisations spanning various sectors of the built environment, tailoring his training delivery to align with their specific goals.
Denbygh Hill
Technical Fire Trainer
A technical fire trainer with extensive experience in the fire safety industry, Denbygh authors and delivers training at BRE Academy, working with organisations across the manufacturing, construction, and public sectors.
Denbygh has taken on various fire safety and site management roles, overseeing all aspects of fire safety. He retired as Station Commander after completing 29 years with both the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service. Additionally, his training with Hereford & Worcester ambulance service enabled him to be a community first responder alongside his fire service role.
Denbygh holds various qualifications, and his expertise extends to advanced fire risk assessments as well as health and safety.
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