How to Become a Principal Designer Representative on National Grid Projects (SR188.11)
Updated October 2026 using NG/ET/SR188, NG/ET/SR163 and the SR188.11 appointment form
If you want to know how to become a Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) on National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) projects, start with what the role actually involves. The PD Rep is the person who carries out the Principal Designer’s duties under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) on an NGET project, day to day. They own the Hazard Register, chair Hazard Review Meetings, coordinate the health and safety aspects of every design, and hand over the Health and Safety File at the end of the project.
It is a formally appointed role. Every PD Rep must be nominated on the NG/ET/SR188.11 Principal Designer Representative Appointment Form and accepted by NGET. This guide covers:
- what a PD Rep is, and the difference between the Development and Delivery roles
- how the role compares with design roles on other construction projects
- what SR188 and SR163 require the PD Rep to do
- the minimum prerequisites on the SR188.11 form
- the documents needed for appointment
- how to get the right training
You can book National Grid PD Rep Supplier Requirements Awareness Training Here.
What is a Principal Designer Representative?
Under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), the Principal Designer must plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and coordinate health and safety in design. On National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) projects, the Principal Designer organisation appoints a named individual to carry out those duties: the Principal Designer Representative. The role is set out in two NGET Supplier Requirements (SRs): NG/ET/SR188 Design Management and NG/ET/SR163 Management of Works.
There are two Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) roles, one for each phase of an NGET project:
| PD Rep – Development (PDR-Dev) | PD Rep – Delivery (PDR-Del) | |
| When | Development phase: option selection and design development, up to tendering for the delivery contract | Delivery phase: from contract award through construction to project closure |
| Who appoints | The Principal Designer organisation working on behalf of National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) in development | The Principal Contractor, following contract award, using form SR188.11 (SR163) |
| Key duties | Chairs Design Review Meetings (DRMs) and Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs); builds the Hazard Register; captures Impressed Voltage hazards in the preliminary design | Takes over the Hazard Register; chairs Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs) through detailed design; coordinates permanent and Temporary Works designers; liaises with the Principal Contractor Representative; prepares the Health and Safety File |
| Handover | Convenes and chairs the Pre-Construction Information (PCI) Review and Principal Designer (PD) Handover Meeting within two weeks of the Contract Date (SR163) | Receives the Hazard Register and Principal Designer (PD) duties at that meeting |
Who actually does the PD Rep role?
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) does not say what job title the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) must have. SR188 and the SR188.11 form only set out two things: the minimum prerequisites the individual must meet, and the duties they must carry out over and above the Principal Designer’s duties under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). How each company fills the role is up to them, so it looks different from one organisation to the next.
The most common models are:
| Who holds the PD Rep role | How it typically works |
| A health, safety and environment (HSE) professional | A health and safety specialist with Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) expertise acts as Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) and leads the Hazard Review process. Expert design engineers from each discipline support them on the technical content of the design and its hazards. |
| A Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) for High Voltage (HV) Plant | A senior Substation High Voltage design engineer takes on the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) role alongside, or instead of, their Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) duties, bringing deep knowledge of the plant, layout and clearances. |
| A Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) | The person who already leads and coordinates the whole design team also holds the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) role, so design and design health and safety sit with one person. This is not an approach we recommend. Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineers (LCDAEs) are a skills shortage role and expensive to resource, and asking one person to carry both sets of duties takes time away from leading the design. |
| A Design Manager | A design manager responsible for the design programme, interfaces and change control acts as Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep), drawing on the Contractor Design Approval Engineers (CDAEs) for discipline-specific input. |
The other models can all work well, provided the individual meets the SR188.11 prerequisites, is supported where their own knowledge stops, and has the time to carry out the duties properly. What matters to National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is competence for the role, as declared by a director or senior manager and evidenced in the competency matrix, not the job title.
Duties over and above CDM 2015
Whoever holds the role, National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) expects more than the standard Principal Designer duties under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). SR188 and SR163 add:
- convening and chairing Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs) and maintaining the Hazard Register
- attending Design Review Meetings (DRMs) and recording hazards identified in them
- the formal Pre-Construction Information (PCI) Review and Principal Designer (PD) Handover Meeting between Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) – Development and PD Rep – Delivery
- capturing and controlling Impressed Voltage hazards with the Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE)
- coordinating permanent works designers with the Temporary Works Coordinator and the Temporary Works Register
- reconfirming CDM arrangements for third-party work, as agreed at the CDM and Safety Rules Arrangement meeting
- Health and Safety File review meetings, including one at least a month before construction completes
A PD Rep is more than a CDM adviser
On many construction projects, the Principal Designer duty sits with a design consultancy or a Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) adviser, and health and safety in design can feel like a separate workstream. On a National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) project, the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) sits inside the Project Design Team. As a minimum, every Project Design Team includes a Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE), a Principal Designer Representative – Delivery (PDR-Del) and NGET’s Lead Design Assurance Engineer (LDAE).
That means the PD Rep is not just reviewing paperwork. They are working alongside the design engineers and the site team, often on or next to live high voltage sites, and they are responsible for:
- Hazard Review: convening and chairing Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs), and keeping the Hazard Register up to date as the design develops.
- Design reviews: attending Design Review Meetings (DRMs) and recording any hazards identified.
- Design changes: working with the LCDAE to decide whether a design change needs a further design or hazard review.
- Impressed Voltage: making sure Impressed Voltage hazards are captured and either eliminated or mitigated, working with the LCDAE (SR188 and SR234).
- Temporary Works: making sure permanent works designers and the Temporary Works Coordinator are coordinated, and that the Temporary Works Register is maintained and shared.
- The Principal Contractor interface: sharing information that affects the planning, management and monitoring of the construction phase.
- The Health and Safety File: preparing or revising it, and attending Health and Safety (H&S) file review meetings, including one at least a month before construction completes.
- Third-party work: reconfirming how the CDM Regulations apply, as agreed at the CDM and Safety Rules Arrangement meeting during development.
| Typical construction project | National Grid (SR188) project | |
| Who holds the Principal Designer (PD) duty day to day | Design consultant or Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) adviser, often at arm’s length | A named, NGET-accepted Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) within the Project Design Team |
| Formal appointment | Usually by contract only | SR188.11 form, signed by a director or senior manager, plus competency matrix and Statement of Competence |
| Hazard management | Designer’s risk register | Formal Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs) and a Hazard Register handed from Principal Designer Representative – Development (PDR-Dev) to Principal Designer Representative – Delivery (PDR-Del) |
| Specialist hazards | Varies | Live High Voltage (HV) plant, Impressed Voltage, buried earthing, overhead lines and outage constraints |
What SR163 adds to the PD Rep role
SR188 is the main procedure for the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep), but NG/ET/SR163 Management of Works sets out several requirements that affect the role directly:
- Appointment: the Principal Designer Representative – Delivery (PDR-Del) is appointed by the Principal Contractor following contract award, using form SR188.11.
- Pre-Construction Information (PCI) Review and Principal Designer (PD) Handover: this meeting is chaired by the Principal Designer Representative – Development (PDR-Dev) and must be held within two weeks of the Contract Date.
- Pre-Construction Information: where the contractor is also the Principal Designer, they must develop the Pre-Construction Information.
- Health and Safety File: where the contractor is the Principal Designer, they update the file during delivery and chair a handover meeting with the Client Representative one month before Project Completion. On large projects split into phases or outage seasons, the file is updated at the end of each phase. If the Principal Designer appointment ends early, the duty transfers to the contractor.
- Temporary Works: the Principal Designer must provide its Temporary Works procedure at tender stage for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) review. The Temporary Works Coordinator must liaise with the Principal Designer so that Impressed Voltage hazards are in the Hazard Register and addressed in the Temporary Works design.
- Buried earthing: earthing systems must not be cut, moved or disturbed without consulting a competent designer and getting NGET’s prior agreement.
- Design and Hazard Review Meetings: these must be held at regular intervals, with a plan for managing residual risks through the life of the asset.
- Changes of duty holder: for people named in the contract, NGET must be notified at least two weeks before a planned change, and a new SR188.11 form completed. NGET can accept or reject the change.
SR188.11 minimum prerequisites for a PD Rep
The SR188.11 form lists the following minimum prerequisites. Evidence of training or assessment, with completion and expiry dates, must be provided for each one.
1. Health and safety legislation and the CDM Regulations
You must understand relevant UK health and safety legislation, in particular the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). Each company will determine its own minimum, but this is usually Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) or Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS).
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
- IOSH or NEBOSH: call us on 01926 674340 and we can advise on the right course.
We also recommend:
2. Impressed Voltage
You must understand the causes and consequences of Impressed Voltage. SR188 treats Impressed Voltage as a key risk to be controlled throughout design and build, and the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) is responsible for capturing it in the Hazard Register.
3. Temporary Works to BS 5975
You must understand procedural control of Temporary Works in accordance with British Standard (BS) 5975. We would recommend either:
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Temporary Works General Awareness Training Course (TWGATC): call us on 01926 674340 for dates
- CITB Temporary Works Co-Ordinator Training Course (TWCTC)
4. Environmental and waste management
You must understand the general requirements of UK environmental and waste management legislation. We recommend:
5. NGET business procedures
You must have appropriate knowledge of NG/ET/SR163 Management of Works, NG/ET/SR188 Design Management, and the National Grid Incident Reporting and Incident Investigation process.
6. Other NGET Supplier Requirements
You must have a general knowledge of SR106, SR107, SR135, SR141, SR183, SR193, SR212, SR215, SR234, SR241 and settlement metering.
7. Your own organisation’s procedures
You must have a working knowledge of the Principal Designer organisation’s Design Management Procedures and its Safety and Quality Management System procedures.
What employers look for beyond the form
The SR188.11 form sets the minimum. In practice, many Principal Contractors, design consultancies and engineering firms working on National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) projects expect their Principal Designer Representatives (PD Reps) to have extensive design or design management experience, especially where the PD Rep is also a Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE), Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) or Design Manager. Recent PD Rep and design management roles in the transmission sector commonly ask for:
- Significant design or design management experience, typically 5 years or more, with some companies wanting 8 to 10 years, and a proven record of delivering design projects
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams on projects from standard to complex
- A relevant degree in engineering, construction management or a similar field
- Membership of a professional institution, such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), with chartered status preferred by some employers
- Comprehensive knowledge of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), including the Principal Designer’s duties and applying safety by design throughout the design lifecycle
- Knowledge of National Grid design management and approval processes, including SR188, the CDAE and LCDAE roles, and Type Registration
- Experience in transmission and distribution, including working to NGET and other network operators’ specifications. Typically this means over 5 years’ wider experience worldwide and over 2 years on NGET projects
- Design change management, including change registers and reviewing risk assessments and method statements against the design
Where the PD Rep is a health, safety and environment (HSE) professional, employers instead look for strong CDM and health and safety credentials, with experienced design engineers supporting them on the technical detail. Either way, the PD Rep is rarely an entry-level role.
Please note: this is a guide only. Every Principal Contractor and Principal Designer organisation has its own competency matrix for the PD Rep role, setting out the qualifications, training and experience it requires. These can differ from the typical expectations above. Always liaise with the organisation that will appoint you to confirm its requirements before booking training or applying.
Documents needed for SR188.11 appointment
The SR188.11 form asks for:
- Appointment details: the Principal Designer organisation, the appointee’s name and contact details, the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) project number and name, and the role: Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) – Development or PD Rep – Delivery
- Minimum prerequisites table: the training course or assessment for each prerequisite, with dates completed (including refreshers) and expiry dates
- Competency Management System matrix for the role
- The individual’s Competency Management System training record
- Statement of Competence: relevant academic qualifications, relevant health and safety qualifications, membership of a professional body (engineering, construction or health and safety), other relevant training such as Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), and experience
- Declaration: signed by a director or senior manager with authority to make the appointment, with their contact details and the appointee’s line manager’s details
The experience section should cover construction or engineering industry experience, electricity transmission or distribution experience, and design or design management experience. Include National Grid (NG) projects, other Electricity Supply Industry work and other relevant work, with dates, client, location, voltage, scope, role and responsibilities.
How to become a PD Rep: typical routes
Because National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) does not set a job title, there are two common routes into the role.
From a design or design management background
- Build extensive design or design management experience, ideally in the Electricity Supply Industry, for example as a Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE), Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) or Design Manager.
- Add a recognised health and safety qualification, such as Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), as your organisation requires.
- Complete the other SR188.11 prerequisites: Construction (Design and Management) (CDM), Impressed Voltage, Temporary Works and environmental and waste management.
- Gain experience of Hazard Review by attending Hazard Review Meetings (HRMs) alongside an experienced Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep).
From a health and safety background
- Build Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) and construction health and safety experience, ideally on Electricity Supply Industry or high voltage projects.
- Develop your understanding of design, including how substation, overhead line and cable designs are developed and reviewed under SR188.
- Complete the SR188.11 prerequisites, including Impressed Voltage and Temporary Works.
- Agree the design support you will have from expert engineers in each discipline.
On either route, you will need to learn the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) procedures, especially SR188, SR163 and the Incident Reporting and Investigation process, and be assessed against your organisation’s competency matrix before being nominated on the SR188.11 form.
Why are PD Reps in demand?
- Every delivery project needs one. SR188 requires a Principal Designer Representative – Delivery (PDR-Del) in every Project Design Team.
- It combines two skill sets. The role needs both design knowledge and health and safety competence, which few people have developed together.
- The National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) context is specialist. Live High Voltage plant, Impressed Voltage and outage-driven programmes are not part of most construction design roles.
- Changes need approval. Replacing a Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) needs a new form and NGET acceptance, so organisations need cover in place.
Please note
This article is a guide only. It is based on NG/ET/SR188, NG/ET/SR163 and the SR188.11 appointment form, together with typical industry expectations. Each Principal Contractor and Principal Designer organisation has its own competency matrix and may set different or additional requirements. Liaise with the organisation appointing you, and always refer to the current issue of each National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) document.
How Pragmatic Consulting can help
We help Principal Contractors, Principal Designers and individuals prepare for SR188.11 appointment. Our interactive two-day National Grid CDAE / LCDAE / PD Rep Supplier Requirements Awareness Training covers SR188 and SR163 in depth, with scenarios, questions and a homework presentation on day 2. It can be delivered at Stoneleigh Park or on-site for groups.
We also run the other prerequisite courses: CITB SMSTS, Impressed Voltage for Designers, CDM 2015 Awareness, CITB SEATS and CITB TWCTC. Call 01926 674340 to talk to the team.
Working with the site team? Read our guide How to Become a Site Manager on a National Grid Substation, which explains the SR163.11 Principal Contractor Representative (PC Rep) role.
FAQs
What is a PD Rep?
A Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) is the named individual who carries out the Principal Designer’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) duties on a National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) project. They are appointed on form SR188.11 and accepted by NGET.
What is the difference between PDR-Dev and PDR-Del?
The Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) – Development acts during the development phase, before the delivery contract is tendered, and builds the Hazard Register. The PD Rep – Delivery is appointed after contract award, takes over the Hazard Register and manages design health and safety through to the Health and Safety (H&S) file.
Does a PD Rep have to be a design engineer?
No. National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) does not specify a job title. In some companies the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) is a health, safety and environment professional supported by expert engineers; in others it is a Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) for High Voltage (HV) Plant, a Lead Contractor Design Approval Engineer (LCDAE) or a Design Manager. NGET sets the minimum prerequisites and the duties, and the appointing organisation confirms the individual is competent.
Who appoints the PD Rep – Delivery?
SR163 states that the Principal Designer Representative – Delivery (PDR-Del) is appointed by the Principal Contractor following contract award, using form SR188.11. The form is signed by a director or senior manager with authority to make the appointment.
When is the PD handover?
The Pre-Construction Information (PCI) Review and Principal Designer (PD) Handover Meeting is chaired by the Principal Designer Representative – Development (PDR-Dev) and must be held within two weeks of the Contract Date.
Does the PD Rep need Impressed Voltage training?
Yes. Understanding the causes and consequences of Impressed Voltage is a minimum prerequisite on SR188.11, and the Principal Designer Representative (PD Rep) is responsible for making sure Impressed Voltage hazards are in the Hazard Register.
Which health and safety qualification does a PD Rep need?
SR188.11 requires an understanding of UK health and safety legislation, in particular the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), but does not name one qualification. What is accepted varies by company: most ask for Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), set out in their competency matrix for the role.
Can a PD Rep be replaced during a project?
Yes, but National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) must be notified at least two weeks before the planned change, and a new SR188.11 form completed for the replacement. NGET can accept or reject the change.
How long does it take to become a PD Rep?
It depends on your existing experience and qualifications. The SR188.11 form sets minimum prerequisites, but many employers also expect extensive design or design management experience, typically 5 years or more, with some companies wanting 8 to 10. Contact us and we can review your current certificates against the SR188.11 requirements.
