NEBOSH qualifications have been a great way to enhance my practical health and safety experience
Case Study: Alok Kumar Saxena - Vice President HSEQ
In NEBOSH’s latest interview, we spoke to Alok Saxena, Vice President HSEQ, at Enel Green Power to find out about his career and the part NEBOSH qualifications have played.
At university, you studied engineering and spent over a decade in that field after graduation. When did your interest in health and safety begin?
After completing my Engineering degree, it was a natural step to begin my career in that field. I spent the first ten years working in heavy engineering, gaining experience across a broad range of projects involving windmills, gas turbines, and steam turbines. During this time, I was employed by large multinational corporations where Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards were given high priority. I’ve always had a strong personal interest in HSE, which made it easy to align with this health and safety culture. Over time, my passion for health and safety grew to the point where I decided to change the direction of my career and make it my full-time profession.
When exactly did you decide to focus your career on health and safety, and how did you make this happen?
I trace the decision back to 2015, when I first joined global energy provider the Enel Group—the company I still work for today. The organisation actively encourages cross-functional growth and offers employees opportunities to spend time in other departments. The driving force behind this initiative is to promote cross-functional learning, strengthen connections and collaboration, and enhance understanding across teams. It also gives individuals the chance to broaden their experience and develop new skills. When I discovered the scheme, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to explore my health and safety aspirations more seriously, so I applied to take part. Following an internal selection process, I was offered the chance to spend time within Enel’s HSEQ department. From the moment I started, I found the work deeply engaging and perfectly aligned with my values and beliefs. This natural affinity helped me quickly adapt to the role’s requirements, and I’ve been part of the HSEQ department ever since.
You have worked for Enel Green Power since 2015. Can you tell us about the company please?
Enel Green Power (EGP) India is a subsidiary of the Enel Group and is one of India’s leading renewable energy companies. The organisation is committed to the development and operation of renewable energy projects worldwide, with a presence across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
EGP is a global leader in the green energy sector, with a total installed capacity of around 55 GW across a diverse generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower. The company is at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies into renewable power plants.
You completed your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (IGC), in 2021. Why did you choose this qualification specifically?
My motivation for taking the IGC was to back up the significant practical health and safety experience I had gained with a recognised qualification. I was specifically looking for something that was structured and offered a systematic approach. I chose NEBOSH specifically because it is internationally recognised and a leading organisation in the space.
When reaching this decision, I also considered my longer-term aspirations. The recognition the IGC has, opens several options for further study including the obvious clear pathway onto the NEBOSH International Diploma. For me, my IGC was the start of my formal Health and Safety training, and I knew there was a lot for me to.
How did you find the course and what benefits have you gained from completing it?
The IGC covers most aspects of health and safety in a very structured way. What I particularly appreciated was NEBOSH’s two-dimensional course approach. The first dimension explores why health and safety is important, while the second focuses on how to practically implement health and safety practices. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and gained a great deal from completing it. It reinforced what I had learnt on the job, and my IGC success provided a real confidence boost.
You are now Vice President HSEQ for Enel Green Power (EGP) India. Can you tell us about your role and responsibilities?
As Vice President and Head of EGP India’s HSEQ department, I lead a range of health and safety initiatives across construction sites, operational facilities, and corporate offices. My role involves ensuring compliance, guiding my team to define and achieve HSE objectives, and continuously enhancing our safety culture to protect our people and drive operational excellence.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is witnessing behavioural change—seeing individuals take ownership of safety for themselves and others. When the safety culture is strong, people adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach which is great to see.
In addition to my responsibilities in India, I also provide health and safety support to other countries within the group. Delivering projects without any safety breaches brings immense satisfaction and reflects our commitment to excellence.
In 2025, you completed two other NEBOSH qualifications, again choosing to study with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, 3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE. Can you tell us why you chose each and how they have helped you:
- NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals.
Achieving the NEBOSH International Diploma has long been a personal aspiration. I chose it as my targeted qualification due to its global relevance and comprehensive syllabus, which forms the foundation of a well-structured and in-depth course. The three units offer a 360-degree perspective—starting with leadership and management practices, progressing through extensive health topics, and concluding with health and safety implementation.
It was the ideal fit for my role as Vice President HSEQ. My studies provided me with deep knowledge in leadership and safety management and introduced me to advanced health and safety concepts. By applying what I learned, I’ve been able to improve safety KPIs and enhance overall performance.
- NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management
The NEBOSH Certificate in Process Safety Management opened up new dimensions for me by deepening my understanding of the complexity and inherent hazards within process industries. I’ve always been fascinated by learning new concepts and controls to mitigate risks, and this course provided a structured pathway to do just that.
Through the NEBOSH PSM qualification, I gained confidence and insight into advanced methodologies such as HAZOP, PHA, and HAZID. These tools have significantly enhanced my ability to assess hazards and contribute to safer operational practices.
What was the best thing you learned through your NEBOSH studies?
The best thing I learned through my NEBOSH studies is how to approach every safety situation holistically considering its immediate, long-term, and cascading implications. These studies have significantly strengthened my analytical skills, enabling me to evaluate situations thoroughly, anticipate outcomes, and develop structured, forward-looking safety plans.
What do you enjoy most about your HSE career?
I find my work incredibly interesting and rewarding. Health and safety is a fantastic career choice—especially if you're a people person like me. Whenever a challenge arises, I collaborate with colleagues to find a solution. There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer, but through brainstorming and teamwork, we always find a way to get things done safely—and that’s something I really value.
My role is to keep our people safe and well, so they can return home to their families at the end of each working day. If I can achieve that by encouraging others to think differently and follow our policies and industry best practices, then that’s the greatest reward I could ask for.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into health and safety?
I would encourage anyone with a passion for health and safety to follow their dream. Ensure you do things right, never follow shortcuts as that short-term gain can have serious long-term consequences. Never underestimate or ignore risks even if they appear very small. Talking to people, is a great way to assess risk because you see things from their perspective. It is important to listen and acknowledge their point of view. You will show you are accessible and gain respect by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand a problem. When assessing risks, I also imagine it will be faced by one of my family members. If I would not accept a control measure for my family, then I will not accept it for my colleagues either, it’s as simple as that!