December 2016
Five minutes with Mike Robinson
My role – by Joe Mullins
A forty years perspective
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— InTouch Hello Ladies and Gents, End of the year is a season of reflection and reevaluation. It is a time when organisations review both their achievements and activities, as well as make plans for the following year. The first section of this newsletter What you need to know is indicative of how busy we have been during the past months and that in many areas, we are now reaping the benefits of our work, as well as adopting new strategies to further improve our activities. We are managing very busy jobs and we are usually immersed in our own work. It is often difficult to see a bigger picture and appreciate the contribution others make to the company. The purpose of the My Job interview series is to give us a greater understanding of the work and roles of our colleagues in the organisation. Joe Mullins agreed to talk to me first and you can read his account and reflections on page 10. Also in this issue, Mary Page shares her memories of working at BSC for over four decades, a number of them under James Tye’s leadership.
What you need to know
Staff Voice Group Staff Voice Group has proved to be an excellent way for bringing staff together and providing a discussion forum for any concerns. It has received a very positive feedback from staff and it continues to encourage participation in various social and charitable activities. Most recently, BSC staff organised a Christmas Coffee Morning for the residents of Nazareth House, a residential house for the elderly based in Hammersmith. A group of staff members delivered cakes and other Christmas treats and spent the morning interacting with the residents. BSC staff has also organised a collection (of clothes and other items) for the Crisis, a charity supporting homeless in London.
Induction for new starters We have improved the way new starters are welcomed into the British Safety Council. A new and improved presentation has been created to inform new starters about the opportunities available to them throughout their employment. Also, we have now introduced an induction schedule which will allow new starters to familiarise themselves with different departments and their work, as well as giving them an opportunity to meet the team. Chris Wales, our new Chief Technology Officer, was the first to go through the new induction programme and we have received a very positive feedback from managers and staff.
Training Please keep sending your ideas for the next issue of InTouch. Anna Ryland E anna.ryland@britsafe.org 1 InTouch November 2016
The feedback from numerous exit interviews and the staff survey suggested that staff training provision at the British Safety Council needs to be improved. In order to determine the staff training needs, a workshop was organised with Pera Training in October. The future training will be focused on staff development. We are planning a ‘Future Leaders’ training programme which will support staff members facing new business challenges and wishing to grow their experience within the industry.
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Stadia and Entertainment Sector Interest Group
Overseas operations – an Indian model
The inaugural meeting of a new Sector Interest Group was held in September. This group comprises member companies from the sport and entertainment sectors and is focused on health and safety issues in stadia and entertainment arenas. The following organisations were represented: Arsenal FC , Swansea FC, Liverpool FC, QPR, Aston Villa, Wembley, The FA, the RFU and Alexandra Palace. The group had a constructive discussion about key topics and agreed a forward meeting schedule, with the next session due to take place in January 2017.
The Board has approved a proposal to develop a business
Health & Safety North in Bolton Louise Ward chaired the BSC educational seminar programme at the Health and Safety North event in Bolton in October. BSC had arranged a programme of 4 speakers on each day focusing on a range of topics. The highlight of this year’s programme were two interactive workshops that gave the delegates experience of managing stressful situations in ‘real-life’ scenarios where positive health and safety behaviour was required. Between 325 and 425 people attended each of the sessions and participants’ feedback was very positive. The next session is scheduled for March 2017 at the NEC.
case and an implementation plan for a BSC overseas operation in India. The initial work on the project indicates that it could generate sales of c. £1.5m per annum over four years. Priyanka Raj has joined us as India Project Lead Manager to advance this work over the next few months.
New website – Technology transformation Chris Wales presented the plans for the new British Safety Council website, which will be unveiled as a part of the 60th anniversary celebrations. The implementation of the project is already underway. Its first stage involved consultations with 17 focus groups, which provided insights into the development plans of the project. Next step will involve transfer of this information to the web design agency and consultation with our customers and suppliers to ensure that their views are also taken into consideration.
Mates in Mind – developing the programme for the industry Michael Whitmore has joined the programme as Programme Lead and has been working closely with Joscelyne, Lead Director, and Steve Hails, Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Tideway, to build an initial programme for Mates in Mind. Before Christmas there will be soft testing of various training modules for staff and managers of the
Support for the team Venho Chen has joined the credit control team for three months to support their collection of smaller value debts. This will allow Sarah and Padma to focus on some of the higher value and more aged debt to bring cash back into the business.
construction companies supporting the programme. The programme will be officially launched on 26 January 2017, at Health in Construction CEO Breakfast Summit in London, which will gather some 150 CEOs and MDs of leading construction companies in Britain.
Membership – launching the offer
Budgets
Rebuilding membership is a top priority for the organisation
September has been a month of budgets, with Finance collating and reviewing submissions for the three-year business plan, which has defined the activities and targets for next year.
and reach. Key initiatives in 2017 will include rebuilding sales
Complywise We have started a review of all our Complywise subsidary e- learning contracts, with a view to transferring existing Complywise customers to a British Safety Council contract later on.
in 2017. As our membership grows, so does our influence and marketing focus and improvements to both product and proposition. We are always looking to better engage with members, including at our events. Improvements will include a new Leaders’ subscription, discounts on products and Hindi e-learning for Indian members. We are also launching a new Supporter offer to micro businesses and small charities during our 60th anniversary year. More details will follow as we launch new initiatives. As ever, your ideas are very welcome; please speak with Jigna. December 2016 InTouch 2
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60th Anniversary Celebrations
In 2017, the British Safety Council will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a wide programme of events and activities. It will include the Young Filmmaker Competition for short films on the topic of ‘risk’, which was launched in September 2016. It will be followed by a film and fundraising night at Regent Street cinema, on 23 March 2017. The anniversary celebrations will also include the launch of a digital archive of the British Safety Council’s 60 years in early January 2017. Packed with events from 60 years of British history, the archive website will feature our historic posters, photographs, magazines and correspondence. The celebrations will culminate in the ISA 2017 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 5 May 2017.
Film competition The British Safety Council’s young filmmakers competition is looking for short films that address the big issues of the day: climate change, mental health and how to navigate those risky years of growing up.
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Risk, a Young Filmmakers Competition, is open to anyone between 16 and 25 years around the globe. We are calling upon young filmmakers to share their perception of risk. Risk comes in many shapes and sizes: from terrorism, climate change and migration to cyber bullying, new materials and the mental health pressures of modern life. The film competition is open to any genre: fiction, documentary, essay-films or animation. They can be serious, hard-hitting, funny or a combination of all three. The entry deadline for the competition is 31 January 2017. Film entries will be judged by a panel of experts that will include Kieron Corless, the deputy editor of Sight & Sound, and Richard Bracewell, a film director best known for the feature film Bill. The top five films from the competition will be premiered at the 60th Anniversary Film Night and fundraiser at the historic Regent Street cinema in London. The winning filmmaker will receive a £1,000 voucher. The event will be compered by eminent film critic Mark Kermode.
The launch event on 23 March 2016 The 60th anniversary launch event on 23 March 2017 will be preceded by a press conference with Mike Robinson, Louise Ward, and Matthew Holder, who is project-managing the anniversary celebrations. Also present will be the judges from the Young Filmmakers Competition; including Kieron Corless; Sight & Sound, film consultant Emma Wrafter and film director Richard Bracewell. The conference will be an opportunity for journalists to learn about the British Safety Council’s rich history and campaigning work, as well as about our plans for 2017 and beyond. At the launch event, we will be raising funds for Labour Behind the Label, a charity and an NGO campaigning to improve the safety conditions of workers in the garment industry across the globe.
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Archive launch
to change the attitude of British industry and the public about safety and health at work. The archive will be launched via three mediums, including an online archive, a feature film and a book. A film based on the archive will be showed at the launch event on the 23 March 2017. The film will contain a brief history of the organisation, including its big wins and achievements over last 60 years, alongside rare unseen footage and images. The film will be available online after the event. A commemorative picture book is being prepared by social historian Mike Esbester, which will tell the story of the British Safety Council and James Tye. It will use images from the archive, revealing our colourful heritage and past campaigns, as well as how they shaped the social, political and economic changes of the last 60 years.
60th Anniversary Supporter offer
When James Tye created the British Safety Council in 1957, thousands of people were being killed at work every year in the UK, while many more suffered serious injuries and disease. He worked tirelessly to prevent this and kick-started campaigns for seat belt laws and comprehensive protection for all workers. His efforts contributed to the creation of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974. Far ahead of his time, he helped to establish the British Wellness Council in 1979, which dealt with issues such as repetitive strain and stress. Since its inception, the British Safety Council has been working and campaigning on a variety of platforms to keep workers safe.
— In 2015, as the British Safety Council started to prepare for its 60th anniversary, a treasure trove of materials, in the form of campaign posters, articles, photographs and correspondence, was discovered bursting from old boxes in a Midlands warehouse. These have now been digitized and will be made publicly available for the first time. — The British Safety Council digital archive will officially be launched online in early January 2017. Among the ‘treasures’ in the archive are: • The first UK report into the need for seat-belt laws, from 1959; • Hundreds of unique, hand-drawn posters from the 1970s, 80s and 90s; • Photographs of the celebrities who were involved in our campaigns, including Dame Barbara Windsor DBE, Des Lynam OBE and Dame Esther Rantzen DBE; • A comprehensive collection of publications from 1959 to 2010, documenting the British history of this period, including public tragedies, ie. the Kings Cross fire and Hillsborough, changes in fashion, gender, industry and politics. • An insight into the life and struggles of James Tye, a powerful and sometimes controversial campaigning voice
To mark our 60th anniversary, the British Safety Council is inviting small and micro sized organisations (under 50 employees) and small charities (under 100 employees) from across the world, to join our membership as Supporters. Supporters will enjoy a range of services and benefits, free of charge for 12 months, to help them manage health and safety risks in their organisations. A Supporter will receive: • Limited edition Supporter logo which they can use to show their commitment to health and safety; • Access to a 24/7 telephone helpline with practical guidance and technical advice; • Free places for all employees on our General Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness e-learning course, ideal for inductions; • Online risk assessment templates that include general risk assessment, fire and manual handling; • Safety Management e-magazine; • Electronic posters and guides that focus on themes such as stress, lone working and manual handling; • Opportunities to meet and engage with experts and peers tackling similar issues in their sector at our events and seminars. The offer will be launched in early January 2017, at the start of our 60th Anniversary celebrations. December 2016 InTouch 4
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Poster catalogue published National coverage Our public relations efforts are paying dividends. The British Safety Council has been featured in the FT Special Report on Health and Wellbeing (with our expertise on presenteeism). Information about our 60th anniversary film completion was published in The Guardian. Following the Sword of Honour press release, we have been invited by BBC Scotland to comment on the current state of the industry, our role in it and the significance of the SoH/GoH Awards. In a live interview at BBC Broadcasting House, Louise Ward, spoke on our behalf.
A catalogue of posters, designed every month to reflect the most relevant topics in the H&S calendar, has been published and distributed with the October issue of Safety Management. They are a good resource for raising awareness of key occupational risks. It will be available at our events and conferences. A digital version of the catalogue will be updated regularly and used for promotions via digital channels. If you would like some copies of the catalogue to send to members, customers etc., please speak to Iris Cepero. Reporting safety risks won’t hurt you. Keeping quiet might. www.britsafe.org
Poster reference P120 © British Safety Council Services (registered with the Charity Commission). Copies of British Safety Council posters and information guides are available. Visit britsafe.org and go to the online shop for purchasing details including minimum order quantities.
Developing the programme On 9 September, the Health in Construction Leadership Group, supported by the British Safety Council, announced the forthcoming launch of Mates in Mind – a sector-wide programme intended to improve and promote positive mental health across the industry in the UK. Michael Whitmore, Programme Lead of Mates in Mind, commented: “I’m delighted to be on board developing Mates in Mind, a mental and emotional wellbeing programme. It’s an exciting project with the potential to reach over 2.5 million workers across the construction industry. “I’ve been out on construction site visits and met with important potential mental health partners, including the Samaritans, the National Suicide Prevention Alliance, Public Health England and the national lead for suicide prevention. I also had conversations with the charities Mental Health First Aid and Mind. There’s still a lot to do before Mates in Mind is ready for its launch at the end of January.”
Louise Ward at BBC’s Broadcasting House.
Safety Management readership survey 65% of survey respondents said that they read the magazine every month, while 15% do so every two to three months. 43% of respondents share it with two to five colleagues. News (77%) was the most read section, followed by features (63%). Overall opinion of the magazine: Excellent (17%) and Very Good (56%). 48% use posters distributed with the magazine for internal displays and campaigns. When asked what topics he prefers, a reader commented: “Total package, it’s worth looking through as you find that a section which may not initially seem relevant, when, in fact, it is very relevant.” 5 InTouch December 2016
Michael Whitmore.
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UNITE student accommodation
Student-centred learning The Education Team continues to be absorbed in transforming oldfashioned PowerPoint lectures into modern, student-centred learning experiences. A huge amount of high quality work has been undertaken in the last few months by Clare Constant, Adrian Vale, Jonathan Moore, Keith Whitehead and Howard Dawes on our NEBOSH and IEMA courses. Although the new courses are yet to be launched, we are already receiving positive feedback in the pilot stage, with one student writing: “Overall, it has been an excellent course and a very valuable learning experience.”
A large project with UNITE student accommodation commenced in October, with a team of four auditors sampling 18 sites across the UK, while our lead auditor Gavin Taylor has been working at UNITE HQ.
Copper mine in Armenia One of the more unusual consultancy projects has involved one of our auditors working with a copper mine in Armenia. Steve Readman has been out in Armenia with the client several times during the year and has recently returned from a three-week visit at the mine site. Another project has involved one of the consultancy team providing support for a safety culture project being carried out with Qatargas shipping.
The Qualifications Team welcomes new members.
— To be successful, teachers need to think of themselves as evaluators and ask about the merit, worth, and significance of the impact of their interventions. — We have recruited nine new associate tutors from more than 100 applicants, all of whom have demonstrated the ability to adopt a student-centred approach to teaching. Adam Skeens, quoting pre-eminent educationalist John Hattie, said: “It is not sufficient to stand up front and look and behold a great multitude from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, waxing lyrical about one’s pet subject, and crying out loud that there is knowledge to be learnt, salvation for those who listen and who repeat after me, and it will finish on the hour. To be successful, teachers need to think of themselves as evaluators and ask about the merit, worth, and significance of the impact of their interventions.”
Sam Doyne
Mildred Akech
Sam joins the team as Senior Qualifications Coordinator after almost two years with Membership and Client Services. Sam therefore brings valuable experience of customer service management and will apply this through the team’s engagement with approved centres and candidates.
Mildred is a recent graduate who has recently completed two years with a government body advising on propertyrelated taxation in roles involving administration, the production of documentation and assessment, a background which will directly assist the Qualification Team’s own operations.
Bhavini Patel
Rosa García
Also from a customer services background, Bhavini joins the team following roles with the General Medical Council and RSA Motability. Medical practice and qualifications are both regulated in a similar manner, which means Bhavini is ideally placed to support the team with her experience.
Rosa has previously worked for Edexcel, formally known as Pearson Education, where she was acknowledged for the ‘innovative way of working’, providing first class customer service.
The audit and consultancy team continue to be very busy with the full year revenue target already achieved. Some notable projects which are now in progress include:
Embassy Group in India Embassy are a real estate property management company which owns and manages large shopping complexes, business parks, leisure complex’s and IT centres across India. We have been commissioned to carry out a series of five star audits over three years. The initial audits are now in progress, with Chris McDermott auditing a golf links centre and business parks in Bangalore.
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A very busy team It’s been a busy few months for our team. We’ve achieved a lot, both personally and professionally. We bid farewell to Nicky, who welcomed a baby boy, Otis, on Saturday 10 September. We welcomed Megan Faint back to the team. She has hit the ground running as the driving force behind our first event app, launched at our Annual Conference, on 5 October (attended by 200 delegates). Sheena has also been busy. Not only has she coordinated a successful Sword and Globe of Honour Scheme, supporting the launch of our International Safety Awards, but she has also passed her driving test. We hope the last quarter of the year will set the momentum for our forthcoming, jampacked events calendar for the 60th Anniversary of the British Safety Council!
Working towards making ISA 2017 a success The marketing team is busy promoting the 2017 International Safety Awards across a variety of media: email marketing, UK and international adverts, social media, Google and on our website, ensuring 2017 will be a successful gala dinner.
Promoting training courses The team have also been working on improving the visibility and communication of BSC’s training courses on the website and in search engines, as well as promoting and explaining the IEMA course changes to our industry contacts. A newsletter has recently been sent out to the Approved Centres on the qualifications side and we are working on a campaign to increase membership revenue.
A new Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice Our National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) awarding body City & Guilds have updated their standards for the Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (2011) and are replacing it with the Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (2016). We put into place everything we needed from a sales and operational perspective and it was launched in November.
New staff but business as usual
Lynda Armstrong and Mike Robinson with Dame Carol Black (middle). 7 InTouch December 2016
The Membership and Client Services team has gained two new members of staff: Nick Olliver (Membership & Client Services Co-coordinator) and Denise Henry (Learning Zone & Client Services Co-ordinator). Meanwhile, Simone Bourne has been promoted to the position of Membership & Subscriptions Credit Controller. We are keeping as busy as always helping our members with information and advice, servicing events in the Learning Zone and welcoming our students, as well as handling hundreds of enquiries from the general public.
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What you would like to know Where East meets West: Keith Sillitoe in Sarajevo
On 30 August, Sarajevo played a host to the Fire Safety for Managers in a Changing World conference organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Banking Organisation. On behalf of the British Safety Council, Keith Sillitoe delivered a presentation on industrial fire safety management. In particular, Keith spoke about the five steps to best practice in fire safety management. The aim of the conference was to increase the technical knowledge of the World Banking Organisation’s client support teams who are involved in investment activities in developing countries. The presentations focused on health, safety and environment compliance, as well as the need for active monitoring and performance auditing in dealings with new businesses in the developing world. The conference organisers showed great interest in the British Safety Council’s membership, five-star audits, HS&E training courses and e-learning. The organisers also asked Keith, the only ‘external’ speaker, to be a guest of honour at the hospitality event that followed after the conference. High in the hills above Sarajevo (some 2000m), Keith presided over (and greatly enjoyed) an evening of music and dance in the local Bosnian restaurant where a folk group sung and played soulful Bosnian ballads. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very rich and painful history. Here on 28th June 1914, a young Bosnian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of AustriaHungary. This event triggered World War I. During the Bosnian War for independence, fought between 1992 and 1995, Sarajevo was largely destroyed and thousands of Sarajevans lost their lives. Moreover, the city suffered the longest siege of any capital city in the history of modern warfare.
— Today, Sarajevo is a rapidly developing modern city recovering from years of turmoil and warfare, both from the First World War and the 1992/95 conflict that took place around the hills of Srebrenica and Sarajevo, reflects Keith. — “Its architecture is a blend of grand Austro-Hungarian buildings and Ottoman Empire structures. Many diverse places of worship, such as mosques, Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues, peacefully co-existing in multi-ethnic neighbourhoods. Numerous older buildings remain pock marked with bullet and artillery shell holes to this day, stark reminders of a dark and distant past. “Sarajevo today is proof of the power of healing and transformation. The city’s history shows how human tragedy and conflict can be left in the past and fuel people’s desires for civil libertarianism, optimism and opportunities for its young population. “Sarajevo is a truly multicultural city. Its streets teem with young people from very diverse backgrounds, who interact with each other while cycling, walking and jogging, taking pride in their Balkan ancestry. Their sense of optimism about the future is apparent.” December 2016 InTouch 8
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What drives you
A five-minute interview with Mike Robinson
Winning!
What is/was your position in the British Safety Council. How long have you been working here
Try to surround yourself with people who are brighter and better than yourself.
I am delighted to be the Chief Executive of this amazing
I can play a mean game of pool!
?
? What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received
?
What are your hidden talents
organisation and I have been working here for 15 months. ?
What is your greatest regret
Can you summarise your work history in a couple of sentences
Giving up playing tennis.
For 20 years I have lead businesses in financial services,
Which guests (two to four people) would you invite to your dream dinner party
?
marine navigation, and technology.
?
Alex Ferguson, Steffi Graf, Boris Johnson ?
What was your earliest ambition
To be a professional tennis player! ?
What ambitions do you still have
To run the London Marathon.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far ?
?
What is your favourite film
Armageddon ? What would be your ultimate desert island disc
Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Persuading James Crosby (when he was the Chief Executive
? What book would you take to the desert island
of HBOS) to support my plans to build a new cross border
Harry Potter
European Financial Services business.
Tell us something about yourself that no one else at the British Safety Council knows ?
?
Which job have you most enjoyed
My current one at the BSC. 9 InTouch December 2016
I once went on a ‘double date’ which included Brook Shields!
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My Role… interview
Interview with Joe Mullins Operations Team Leader
The courses based in Chancellors Road are easier to manage because we don’t have to book venues and we can flexibly use our team of full-time trainers. When courses are run remotely, we send additional material in anticipation of last minute bookings, which adds to the overall cost. As Operations Team Leader, I am focusing on managing the Operations team, supporting them and distributing their work evenly, as well as ensuring that their training and development needs are met. Operations can get quite busy and although every member of the team has specific responsibilities, we all share some of the work. We also have some cross-training, where we learn so-called primary and secondary roles, so if someone is away, another person can do their work. This helps people learn new skills and add variety to their jobs. ? Please summarise your work history before joining the BSC
I studied events management at Manchester University. After graduating, I joined an environmental consultancy before moving to London to work in events management. One of the companies I have worked for is Ear to the Ground, a sports and music marketing consultancy. At the BSC, I also helped the ISA team with the awards gala dinner. ? W hat have you enjoyed most about your job at the Council
I have always worked for non-profit organisations, preferring a goal-driven environment over a solely profit-driven business, so the British Safety Council is a good fit for me. The office is close to my home, a few minutes’ walk down the river, so I don’t waste much time commuting. I also like the relaxed environment at the BSC. The company is flexible and quite family-oriented.
? W hat is your position at the British Safety Council? How long have you been working here
I joined the British Safety Council in October 2015 as Operations Coordinator. Earlier this year, I was promoted to the role of team leader of the five-member Operations team. ?
What are your responsibilities
I am still doing everything I used to, in addition to my new responsibilities. Initially, I was in charge of UK public events, meaning training courses in the UK, primarily in London, Birmingham and Manchester. These have recently been expanded to Cardiff and Peterborough. I worked very closely with Sales. For example, if they wanted to run a course in Manchester, I would go there and find the best date and venue for it. Working with different suppliers, I would book a venue, source a trainer, get source materials printed and dispatch them in time. My work in the office revolved around planning these activities and timeframes, as well as monitoring our courses (analysing course attendance and assessing their viability). This provided Sales with the information they needed in order to make an informed decision.
? Name one thing that would make your work here more enjoyable/effective
I don’t have many reasons to complain; I work with a very good team. My boss, Cat, is an excellent manager and she gives people a free hand to get on with things, which I really enjoy. Perhaps there could be a larger range of social activities. We have summer and Christmas parties, but we could do something in the six months in between that would bring people together. There are many great people in the organisation but their busy roles rarely allow them to interact with colleagues in different departments. There should be more opportunities for teams to work together and discuss what they do. For example, there could be a dip in processing time from Operations, which could frustrate other people when things aren’t done as quickly as usual. This might be due to a huge increase in their work, but other people would not be aware of it.
Is there any aspect of your work that your BSC colleagues don’t know about ?
International work takes up a lot of my time. Generally, people are not aware of the amount of effort and time required to book accommodation, flights etc. to facilitate the organisation’s work in remote locations such as India and Saudi Arabia. At the moment, the international team December 2016 InTouch 10
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brings a lot of work in, mainly five-star audits, and this has to be followed up. Furthermore, the team deals with a wide range of products, including environmental audits and consultancy, and this is not widely known about. In my new role, I am more involved in planning these activities.
Over the Years…
Interview with Mary Page
? W hat is your favourite piece of office technology
Working with dual screens has transformed my work. At times, I feel like I need a third screen. Sales Force is also a very useful tool for us. ? What would be your most lasting memory of working here
I feel that my hard work has been recognised at the BSC. I have always had the same work ethic but it hasn’t always been recognised and that made me feel demotivated. That isn’t the case here. ? If you were CEO of the British Safety Council and you received a £1 million windfall, how would you spend it
I would suggest giving the staff a nice bonus. However, I would also focus on our charitable aims. I would give people an opportunity to work out of office for a few days every year in a charitable capacity, such as mentoring. This would benefit both parties, as it would give people an opportunity to deliver charitable work and develop an understanding of its nature. ?
What was your earliest ambition
I wanted to be a professional snowboarder. I lived in Canada for a year, in Chamonix, France, and in Norway for a couple of years, teaching snowboarding and spending as much time as possible outdoors in the mountains. ?
How do you relax
I try to make my evenings and free time as busy as possible, socialising, cycling...That’s how I relax. This summer, I spent a week on my bike in southern France, cycling from Montpellier, through St Tropez to Nice. Once a week, I go to St Albans to practice snowboarding on an artificial slope there. ?
What drives you? Who inspires you
We all have a limited amount of time. I am conscious of the fact that it’s very easy to waste it. If I was to come to work every day to do a bare minimum, it would be a miserable existence. Of course, there are days when I have less energy but in general, I try to do a good job and keep busy. I enjoy staying positive and proactive. Various people’s attitudes inspire me, especially those who are positive. People who moan motivate me not to be like them.
What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received ?
‘Solutions, not problems.’ If I encounter problems, I try to look for answers. 11 InTouch December 2016
Over 40 years, Mary Page has been selling the services and products of the British Safety Council. She has seen it evolve from a membership-only organisation to one whose voice is listened to and respected in the industry. She also has vivid memories of working with James Tye.
What is your position at the British Safety Council? How long have you been working here ?
I am a key account manager responsible for the north of England area – from Sheffield upwards, including some parts of Scotland. I have been working for the organisation for 42 years.
What are your responsibilities at the BSC? How have they changed over the years ?
I was recruited to sell BSC membership. At the time, the Council was just a membership organisation. Training and other services have been subsequently added. I started working for the Council on a commission-only basis and we had a £30 weekly allowance for expenses, including telephone and fuel. I made calls from telephone boxes and there weren’t too many of them in my rural area. Since I made very little money working for the Council, I resigned after a few months. Within two days, they have contacted me with an offer of a basic salary and a company car. I did believe in what we were doing, so I agreed to go back. Shortly after training and auditing were added and we started selling a portfolio of products and services. Today, key account managers look after companies with over 2,000 employees, while Regional Account Managers are responsible for businesses with fewer staff. Initially, these figures were much lower. The nature of my job has not changed. We are now dealing with larger companies, but what we do is exactly the same as it was 40 years ago. We have to ensure that we sell the products that are right for particular companies and
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their business. We work towards partnership deals as onestop offers are not enough these days. ?
What does your working day look like
It differs from day to day. For example, today I am going to Northampton to visit a client with whom I have been liaising for the last two years. We still have some finer points to discuss before they start working with us. The number of days I am in the office compared to time on the road differs from week to week. I identify potential clients and then work on developing that relationship. A successful client relationship is a happy marriage of their needs and expectations combined with what we can offer for a specific price.
What have you enjoyed most about your job at the BSC ?
Working with clients. It’s an opportunity to meet different people and help companies grow.
What has been the least enjoyable part of your job
? Please describe a particularly memorable event that will stay with you for ever
When I was appointed a key account manager, it was the very first time I had been promoted here. ? People – big personalities? People who inspired you and others – please comment
In the recent years, Neal Stone has made a big impact on the organisation and its staff. In my opinion, he brought something positive to the lives of everyone who worked at the British Safety Council. Another unsung company hero is Catherine Cormack. She is an amazing young lady. I would vote for her if she went into politics. ? What is the best aspect of working for the BSC
I enjoy the flexibility of working remotely for the Council. I wouldn’t be able to raise my family otherwise; my children were babies when I started working here. I would also feel stifled if I had to spend the whole day in the office.
?
The continuous changes in the organisation. New management often made changes just for the sake of it, forgetting that they affect work and the lives of people at the other end. However, this has improved, especially recently.
What’s the most difficult thing that you had to deal with in your professional career at BSC ?
As far as I am aware, people have only complained about me twice in my 40 years with the organisation. I always go that extra mile to do the right thing for my clients. Therefore, to hear that there was a complaint, which I believe was totally unfounded, was very hurtful.
How has the market and the industry changed during your time at the BSC ?
The market has changed beyond recognition; health and safety are now taken much more seriously that they were before. ?
What was your earliest ambition
My father was a Hoover salesmen selling vacuum cleaners and he often took me with him. Perhaps that’s where I caught the selling bug and why I really believe in the job I do.
Inside Track Interview
How has the organisation changed during the time you have been working here? Including technology, offices, function/ departments ?
We have grown up as an organisation, becoming more responsible and sensible. The British Safety Council is now more respected by big players in the industry than it was during James Tye’s times, when the Council was often ridiculed. In my opinion, recruiting Neal Stone to the organisation was a turning point. He made us what we are today. James Tye was a colourful character, very passionate about everything he was doing. You either loved or hated him. Some clients refused to engage with us because of James. However, his contribution to the industry is unquestionable. He didn’t flinch from telling the Queen that she should wear a hard hat while riding. When he started a ‘condom’ campaign, the receptionist called in sick because of the abuse that was coming our way. Everyone knew when he was in the office – his voice would be heard everywhere. Under James Tye’s tenure, if you didn’t like how things were run or organised in the company, he showed you the door.
After two years at the British Safety Council, Rob Parkins left the organisation in August to continue his academic studies in Amsterdam. Having worked in operational roles for two departments at the Council, he has unique insights into the organisation and its work.
What was your position in the British Safety Council? How long have you been working here ?
For 18 months, I was working as an Operations Coordinator in the Operations Department. Prior to this, I was the ISA Coordinator, selling tickets to the ISA gala dinner. Overall, I December 2016 InTouch 12
InTouch
was with the BSC for just under two years. It was my first job after graduating in Philosophy from Roehampton University. In September, I started a Masters in Philosophy at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. As part of my degree, I will be studying Dutch. I plan to stay in Amsterdam for at least couple of years and I may also do a PhD there. ?
What were your responsibilities here
I was responsible for resourcing and coordinating Level 1 and 2 qualifications; trying to keep both the sales and finance departments happy. When a client submitted an order, my responsibility was to find the right tutor for the course, based on their experience, cost and distance or an auditor (if it was an audit request) and coordinate the details to achieve the best outcome for all concerned. For example, we have to make sure that a tutor’s schedule isn’t too busy and that s/he doesn’t need to travel too far from one course to the other. We usually get recommendations from David Parr regarding the most suitable auditors for any given job. Also, we have to find the most convenient travel arrangements for tutors and auditors. I also book accommodation for our associates (trainers or auditors) who run courses in different parts of the country.
In memory of my father By Ian Harris In July 2012, my father passed away from brain cancer. I was devastated to see someone so strong to fade away to an almost an empty shell. At the end, he was barely able to speak. One of the few things that bought me and my dad together was working on my bike. I even bought him a 50cc moped which allowed him to relive his youth. We would spend each day talking, planning and helping each other, while tweaking and modifying my bike. Now, I am working on my bike alone, and once it’s finished I plan to ride it in the Essex air ambulance bike run, which we did before he became ill.
? What have you enjoyed most about your job at the BSC
The people who work at the British Safety Council. There is a good crowd here. ? Name one thing that would make your work here better/more enjoyable
Being able to wear shorts sometimes (I hope Cat is reading this). We have a running joke in the department about not being able to wear shorts. ? What will your most lasting memory of working here be
Having my articles published in Safety Management was a big moment for me. One report was about working at height and the second one was about PPE.
What is the best aspect of working for the BSC ?
The amount of effort the organisation puts into employee wellbeing is encouraging. Comparing my experiences with that of colleagues in other places, the degree to which staff needs are accommodated here is very good, i.e. free teas and coffees and subsidised lunches. The organisation supports flexible working arrangements when one needs to come in late or leave early. It’s nice to go out as a team for drinks on Friday. ?
What ambitions do you still have
I plan to get my Masters and PhD and go into lecturing at university level, focusing on the philosophy of human rights, feminism, ethics and epistemology (examining the nature and origin of knowledge). I also enjoy writing and would like to be a published author one day. 13 InTouch December 2016
Wedding news Best friends On Sunday, 18th September, at St Clements Church in West London, Latoya Campbell walked up the aisle with Joburg Jenings (JJ was named after the South African city where his father used to do business). Latoya met JJ some seven years ago in their local church. They have been good friends for many years before their relationship took a romantic turn.
InTouch
Babies Three times grandad – at once
Cold season kick start From John-Paul Dineenn
On 17th June, David Parr became grandad to Alice, Arthur and Stanley. The triples were born in North Wales (there weren’t three spare special care baby units in Warrington or Liverpool; the Bethlehem story repeats itself). They weighed around 5llbs. All three of them are now thriving.
Alice, Arthur and Stanely
A very special brother On 10 September, Mila, the daughter of Nicky Glueck and her husband Mike, welcomed the arrival of her brother Otis. As you can see, Otis can always count on his sister’s love and support.
For days of autumn and winter and to boost our energy levels and protect us from colds and snuffles, our chef John-Paul has prepared a menu of seasonal treats. It will consist of the following: Morning 1. Porridge garnished with raisins, banana chips and cinnamon 2. Smoothies made to order: with fruit and berries, and natural yogurt; with carrot and ginger or beetroot based (Cost: under £2) 3. Hot teas: lemon and honey or ginger. Free of charge 4. Seasonal vitamin supplements Lunchtime 1. Hot and cold sandwiches; toasties with ham and cheese; paninis 2. Fresh salads; eg Greek salad, mixed vegetable salads 3. Jacket potatoes – with different fillings 4. Soups – vegetable and meat-based 5. Vegetarian side dishes These options will be available in addition to the current lunchtime arrangement
Mila with Otis
Pre-ordering Smoothies and hot lunchtime snacks will have to be preordered in reception before 10.30am. December 2016 InTouch 14
Chocolate Guinness Cake
£202
RAISE D
MacMillan Coffee Morning 30 September 2016 “Cake tastes better together” This will be the third time that we have employed our baking talent to support MacMillian’s efforts in raising money for people affected by cancer. Thanks to all our amazing bakers and everyone who came to appreciate their efforts and contribute to the work of MacMillian.
We raised a grand total of £202 this year.
One of the stars in the scrumptious cast of treats for sale was Anna Campbell’s Chocolate Guinness cake. Using her recipe, you can replicate the experience: Ingredients • 250ml Guinness • 250g unsalted butter • 80g cocoa powder • 400g caster sugar • 2 eggs • 1 tsp vanilla essence • 140ml buttermilk • 280g plain flour • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • ½ tsp baking powder • 50g unsalted butter, softened • 300g icing sugar • 125g full-fat cream cheese • Cocoa powder, for dusting • One 23cm (9in) cake tin Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170°C, then line the base of the tin with baking parchment. 2. Pour the Guinness into a saucepan, add the butter and gently heat until it has melted. Remove the pan from the heat and stir the cocoa powder and sugar into the warm liquid. Mix together the eggs, vanilla essence and buttermilk by hand in a jug or bowl, and then add this to the mixture in the pan. 3. Sift together the remaining sponge ingredients into a large bowl. Mix together until all the ingredients are incorporated. 4. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly pressed and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool, and then remove from the tin on to a wire rack, making sure the cake is cold to the touch before you frost it. 5. Mix the butter and icing sugar together until there are no large lumps of butter and it is fully combined with the sugar in a sandy mixture. Add the cream cheese and mix until combined, then increase beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. 6. Place the cooled cake on to a plate or cake card and top generously with the cream cheese frosting. The cake can be decorated with a light dusting of cocoa powder.