Head of Group Health, Safety and Environment

Overview

In this role you lead the Group Health, Safety and Environment function across diverse operations, turning insights into practical action. You will shape strategy, governance and assurance and influence Board and Executive decisions. You’ll build and develop a specialist team and drive proactive safety through data and technology. You work with leaders, unions and partners to embed risk ownership and frontline safety improvements. The opportunity offers lasting impact on safety culture and group-wide risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group health and safety strategy with governance, risk management and assurance across varied operations.
• Provide expert challenge to the Board and Executive, translating risk data into priorities and decisions.
• Develop and lead the specialist HSE team, defining accountabilities and fostering collaboration across the Group.
• Advance proactive safety management using data and technology; learn from incidents and near misses.
• Collaborate with operational leaders, unions and external partners to embed risk ownership and frontline safety improvements.

Key requirements

• Level 6 occupational health and safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH National Diploma or NVQ Level 6) and professional status (CMIOSH or equivalent).
• Significant HSE leadership experience in a complex, operationally diverse environment under UK regulation.
• Proven track record of delivering HSE strategy, governance and assurance with Board/Executive influence.
• Ability to turn data into action and drive continuous improvement; experience in safety-critical operations (transport, automotive, engineering) desirable.
• Proven experience engaging a geographically dispersed workforce.

• strong stakeholder engagement
• influencing and communication
• collaborative leadership
• data analytics for safety
• risk governance and assurance
• incident learning and continuous improvement

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