David Bly, the Operations Director of Cornerstone Management Service, holds a career spanning over two decades and has been at the forefront of driving change in an industry that is all too often resistant to it.
“We wanted to drive more thinking and more transparency,” Bly reflects on the early days of Cornerstone, a company he co-founded 15 years ago alongside a handful of industry veterans. Their mission was clear from the outset: to revolutionise the way property damage and moisture mechanics were understood and handled.
Cornerstone’s ethos was never about quick fixes. It was about understanding the structure first, whether commercial or residential, to minimise impact. This philosophy quickly garnered attention. “We were soon approached by people like the NHBC and some housing associations,” Bly notes, underscoring the trust and reputation Cornerstone built by delving into the causes of property damage rather than just treating its symptoms.
Understanding the building fabrics and the diverse architectural styles across the UK has been key to Cornerstone’s success. “We’ve been utilised since that time as a company that will look at complex issues,” Bly states with a sense of pride.
Today, Cornerstone stands at the cusp of sharing its wealth of knowledge more broadly. With unique platforms and CPD training on the horizon, Bly is excited about the future. “We’re going to make this available to everyone,” he declares, emphasising the company’s commitment to reducing the time from the moment mould is witnessed to when it’s removed.
Running a business like Cornerstone comes with its challenges, but for Bly, the biggest hurdle was ensuring that as the company grew, the ‘Cornerstone way’ remained intact. “We’ve got a very small but unique framework now that we’re comfortable with,” he explains, ensuring that their processes are upheld across their network.
Tackling the Mould: Cornerstone’s Proactive Approach
David is a man with a mission: to combat the increasing trend of mould in buildings, a challenge that has grown alongside the evolution of modern housing. “Since the early 1960s, as we’ve removed our fireplaces and replaced them with gas heating, changed our timber window frames with double glazing and added insulation measures exponentially, the cases of mould have followed,” Bly explains.
This trend is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s about understanding the behaviour of our buildings and the daily activities of the occupants. Bly is keen to differentiate between damp and mould for the purpose of identifying root causes, stating, “Damp will show itself as spoiling, darkening surfaces, splitting, and cracking. Whereas mould is a symptom. Mould especially is not down to one issue, it’s a number,” reflecting the complexity of the challenges they face and the depth of their expertise in addressing them.
Bly’s strategy involves a ‘did you know’ approach, engaging with residents without blame and providing guidance on managing internal atmospheres to break the cycles of excess moisture. “We’re talking about a majority atmospheric related issue,” he says, citing that 91% of the buildings they surveyed were dry. This data underscores the need for a deeper understanding of building fabric and occupant behaviour.
Cornerstone’s training starts with the admin staff, equipping them with a ‘5Q’—five key questions—that help identify the nature of the issue when residents call in. Bly also emphasises the importance of building orientation and the impact of daily activities like drying clothes indoors.
He shares insights into the science of mould growth, explaining how warm air from our breath can condense against colder walls, providing the first nutrient for mould spores. “The fabric of the building itself is also very important,” Bly notes, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of building fabrications and types before considering any interventions.
Concrete Leadership: David Bly’s Legacy at Cornerstone
David envisions the ideal form of leadership as a concoction of variables that lead to success within a team. “Great leaders are passionate and are willing to listen, as well as having a lot to divulge and share with people,” Bly reflects. He believes that the essence of leadership lies in the ability to connect with others, to resonate with them on a personal level beyond the technicalities of business.
Bly’s aspirations for Cornerstone extend beyond solving individual problems; he aims to transform strategies, training, and frameworks within housing associations. “I’d like to think we’re a company that assists with changing the strategy, training, changing the framework,” he says, emphasising the importance of sharing information to empower others.
One of Bly’s innovative concepts is the ‘property MOT’, a holistic approach to ensuring the health of a building and its occupants. “When you change windows, insulate a property, or change the ventilation measures, you actually impact the whole building as a whole and therefore its occupants,” he explains. This initiative reflects his belief in the power of collective knowledge and experience to create a uniform framework for property health.
Bly is not content with the status quo; he is actively working on a knowledge-sharing platform to provide timely advice on damp and mould issues. “It’s about timeliness with dealing with a report of damp and mould,” he states, advocating for accessible solutions that residents can implement themselves before escalating issues to landlords.
David Bly’s legacy at Cornerstone is not just about the problems solved but the proactive strategies and frameworks established to guide housing associations into the future. His leadership style and original thinking have set a new standard in property management, ensuring that Cornerstone remains an icon of knowledge in property maintenance and a catalyst for change in the industry.
