Case Studies

Hi Marc, when did you decide you wanted to work in health and safety, and how did you know it was the right career for you?

It was probably when I was working as a Store Manager for Marks and Spencer around 12 years ago. I particularly enjoyed the health and safety aspects of the role, learning the detail and making sure the tasks I was asking colleagues to complete were done safely.

Congratulations on being named the joint Best Candidate at last year's graduation! You have completed two NEBOSH certificates and a diploma—please can you tell us why you chose your NEBOSH qualifications and how taking them has helped you?

NEBOSH has been fantastic in supporting my career and professional development. It is globally recognised and has always been receptive to feedback, which I believe is why NEBOSH qualifications continue to remain relevant.

I have always chosen in-person courses for my NEBOSH studies, as I value the opportunity to network and learn from the experiences of fellow students. This has been incredibly beneficial for me and is something actively encouraged by NEBOSH.

What was the best thing you learned through your NEBOSH studies?

I have always found exploring wider aspects of health and safety that fall outside my day-to-day role really interesting, and my NEBOSH studies have enabled me to do this.

Tell me about your employer and your current job role. What would you say is the best thing about this job?

Marks and Spencer is a leading British retailer, bringing exceptional quality and great value food, clothing, and homeware to millions of customers around the world. The company employs around 65,000 colleagues across its stores, support centres, logistics operations, and international teams. It is committed to driving a sustainable future that is both commercially successful and socially and environmentally responsible. Providing a safe and healthy environment for all colleagues and customers is a key part of this commitment.

I have worked for the company for 18 years (I know I don’t look old enough). Currently, I look after construction safety as part of the wider Property team, as well as our International Fashion, Home, and Beauty Sourcing Offices. The best thing about my role is the opportunity to support both our store colleagues and the supply chain as part of our ongoing property transformation.

Could you tell us a little bit about your future ambitions?

I’d love to continue exploring other opportunities within health and safety and to build on the international experience I am currently gaining in my role.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Completing my NEBOSH Diploma was a significant achievement for me. At times it was tough to balance both my role and studies, but now that I have completed it, I am proud of my achievement and the hard work I put in.

What do you enjoy most about being a Health and Safety professional?

I enjoy learning new things each day so I like the fact that I will never know all there is to know about health and safety. This means I will never be bored, as there will always be something to learn and explore, which keeps my work interesting.

Finally, what would your advice be to anyone who aspires to make health and safety their career?

If you are genuinely interested in health and safety, go for it. One of the great benefits of the profession is that it is part of every sector, meaning the opportunities are vast. There will be health and safety roles in the industry you are passionate about, whether that is retail, leisure, sport, or something else entirely.

To support your development, seek out resources online, connect with local IOSH and NEBOSH networks, and spend time learning from health and safety professionals within your organisation. This is a very supportive profession, and there are many people who are more than willing to offer guidance and share their experience.