Case Studies

When did you decide you wanted to work in health and safety and how did you secure your first opportunity in the profession?

My route into health and safety was somewhat unconventional. During the pandemic, I was unable to continue in my role as Operations Manager, but my employer recognised my ability to build and maintain strong relationships. This strength, which I view as an essential attribute within the OSH profession, meant I already had effective working connections with a wide range of teams across the organisation, including the health and safety function. With the support of senior leadership, I was offered a secondment within the team, which I accepted with enthusiasm.

Looking back, this period proved to be a defining point in my career. The secondment exposed me to an area of work I had not previously considered, but one that I quickly found rewarding, meaningful and engaging. Motivated by this experience, I took the initiative to develop my knowledge by undertaking relevant qualifications alongside my role. As my interest and confidence grew, I successfully secured a permanent position within the team and have worked in the health and safety profession ever since.

You passed your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, in 2022.

•  Why did you choose it?

I chose to pursue the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety after recognising the importance of establishing a strong and credible foundation. As I was relatively new to health and safety at the time, I wanted a clear understanding of risk management principles and workplace safety standards. NEBOSH stood out due to its internationally recognised reputation, practical focus, and strong emphasis on applying knowledge in real world settings.

The qualification also aligned closely with both my immediate learning needs and longer term career aspirations. It provided a structured and holistic understanding of health and safety management, strengthening my confidence and equipping me with a solid grounding in core principles, legislation and best practice. This foundation enabled me to add meaningful value within my role and supported my progression.

• How did achieving this qualification help your career?

Achieving the NEBOSH National General Certificate played a key role in supporting the early stages of my health and safety career. It provided me with both the confidence and credibility to step into the profession with a strong grasp of fundamental principles. I was able to translate theory into practice and engage more effectively in discussions around risk management, compliance and workplace safety.

For me, success should not be defined by the length of time in the profession but the positive and lasting impact you make. This focus on impact encouraged me to approach situations critically, understand the reasoning behind decisions, and contribute more meaningfully to improving health and safety standards, regardless of my level of experience.

Overall, the qualification served as a solid foundation and offered valuable structure during a period when I was still shaping my professional identity. It also opened doors to further development and progression, giving me the confidence and motivation to continue learning and take on greater responsibility.

In 2026 you completed the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management, again choosing to study with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner British Safety Council. Can you tell us why you chose this qualification and what benefits you gained from this success?

Enrolling on the NEBOSH Diploma was the natural progression in my professional development. It was a deliberate step to advance my knowledge, capabilities and expertise. The qualification covered a wide range of complex risks, including some that I did not typically encounter in my day to day role. My Diploma studies strengthened my ability to think critically and encouraged me to adopt a more holistic and strategic approach to health and safety management.

Choosing to study again with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, British Safety Council, was a considered decision based on the excellent support and encouragement I had previously received.

Completing the Diploma marked a significant milestone in my career, reinforcing my belief that professional effectiveness is defined not by tenure, but by contribution. It further developed my skills, knowledge and professional judgement, and gave me the confidence to operate at a more senior and strategic level within the profession.

What is the best thing you have learned through your NEBOSH studies?

There have been many valuable lessons learnt from my NEBOSH studies, including a strong understanding of fundamental principles, legislation and the technical aspects of health and safety. These have been essential in developing my competence and confidence as a practitioner.

However, the most important lesson I learned is the need to place people at the heart of everything we do as health and safety professionals. Beyond systems, processes and compliance, effective health and safety is ultimately about protecting and supporting individuals. This people focused perspective has shaped the way I approach my role, ensuring that safety is not viewed as a tick box exercise, but as a meaningful commitment to the wellbeing of others.

You have worked in health and safety for over 5 years, working in retail, higher education and beauty. Is it easy to switch between sectors?

I would say that switching between sectors can, on one hand, be “easy”, as the fundamental principles of health and safety remain consistent. Regardless of the sector or industry, adopting a people focused approach and ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals should remain central to everything we do.

That said, it can also be “challenging”, as each sector has its own unique risks, culture, regulatory expectations and ways of working. It can take time to understand the environment, engage with stakeholders, and tailor approaches to suit specific operational needs. Flexibility, agility, strong communication and a willingness to learn are essential when moving between sectors.

Ultimately, working across different sectors has been a highly positive and rewarding experience for me. It has broadened my perspective, strengthened my adaptability, and reinforced my ability to apply core health and safety principles effectively in a variety of contexts. This exposure has enhanced my professional confidence and highlighted the value that a people focused approach can bring, regardless of sector.

Your current role is Global EHS Manager for a luxury beauty brand. What are you main responsibilities in this position?

My role as Global EHS Manager is fast paced and varied, which I particularly enjoy. I am responsible for the day to day management of environmental, health and safety activities across the business, globally for an innovative luxury beauty brand.

I lead and support global teams to ensure safe, healthy and compliant environments across retail, office locations and brand activations, while maintaining statutory compliance and consistent best practice standards.

With people at the heart of my approach, I work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to manage risk in creative and innovative ways, focusing not on saying “no”, but on finding effective ways to deliver ideas safely. Through collaboration, auditing and continuous improvement, I support a proactive safety culture that enables the business to grow and innovate with confidence.

What qualities and attributes do you believe help someone to be a successful H&S professional?

I believe that being an effective health and safety professional requires a balance of strong personal attributes and technical competence. An open, people focused mindset is essential, as health and safety is fundamentally about understanding, supporting and protecting those at the heart of an organisation.

Curiosity and a willingness to continually learn are equally important. Successful professionals remain open to new risks, challenges and ways of working, using questioning to deepen understanding and inform decisions. Sharing this learning externally, through platforms such as LinkedIn or by contributing to case studies such as this, also plays a valuable role in personal and professional development. Being visible allows practitioners to exchange ideas, demonstrate competence, and learn from the wider profession.

Agility is a vital quality, particularly in dynamic environments where priorities and risks can change quickly. Being adaptable enables professionals to respond effectively while maintaining high standards. Equally important is the confidence to ask difficult questions and stand up for what you believe in. Engaging with like minded professionals, whether through industry networks, online communities or professional forums, can strengthen this confidence and provide support when facing complex challenges.

When combined with strong communication skills, these qualities help build trust and influence. A willingness to share experiences, connect with others in the profession and contribute to discussions enhances both individual credibility and collective learning. This, in turn, enables health and safety professionals to make a meaningful, positive impact and support environments where people can thrive safely.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of their health and safety career?

For those at the start of their health and safety career, my advice would be to have confidence in yourself and the skills, experience and perspective you bring. Focus on building a strong foundation and embrace every opportunity to learn and develop, viewing each experience as a chance to grow.

Everyone brings a unique viewpoint and fresh perspective that can add real value, regardless of their background, experience or knowledge. These qualities should be embraced and cannot be diminished by others.

Above all, remember that health and safety is fundamentally about doing the right thing for people at the heart of everything we do. Success in this profession is not defined by the length of time spent in the industry, but by the positive and lasting impact you make.