Senior management team

Our departments are headed by our Senior Management Team, whose broad spectrum of expertise is key to achieving our strategic goals.

Helen Barker, Interim Head of HR and Facilities

Helen is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personal Development, and has significant experience as Head of Human Resources in a range of private and not-for-profit organisations.

Craig Darlison, Head of Information Systems

Craig joined IOSH in1992 as Accounts Clerk and took on a series of roles before becoming Head of Information Systems in 2008. Craig is responsible for managing all information systems and telecommunications, data security and data protection, and business consultancy services, advising the Institution on efficient business processes and enabling it to maximise new opportunities and make use of new technologies.

Before joining IOSH, Craig worked in a small computer consumables supply company where he gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of business with an IT and finance background. He completed a number of business studies and finance courses to complement his hands-on experience.

 

Ruth Doyle, Communications Director

Ruth joined IOSH in 2004 as Communications Director, leading a team that looks after IOSH’s press and media relations, e-communications, book and journal publishing, branding and design, website development, events management, market research and campaigns. She is responsible for directing IOSH’s communications strategy and raising the profile of health and safety and the influence of IOSH.

Ruth is also a Chartered Marketer with 14 years’ experience in marketing communications and media relations. Her career includes communications roles in professional services sector (accountancy, law, and now a membership body) and the arts sector (music publishing and theatre).

Colin Gore, Finance Director

Colin joined IOSH in 2000 and now leads the Finance and Information Systems teams. Together with his supporting staff he is responsible for managing the institution efficiently and effectively; the accurate and timely production of management information; budgets; statutory accounts; information systems strategy and operations; internal and external audit and administering the Risk Management and Audit Committee. He also looks after governance and legal issues and, through his PA, Council elections and supporting the Presidential Team.

Colin is a Chartered Accountant with an MBA from Warwick University and a Diploma in Marketing. After qualifying Colin moved into industry where he worked for a variety of   privately and publically owned – as well as venture capital backed – SMEs, primarily in manufacturing. Before joining IOSH Colin had over 15 years’ Board level experience.

Sarah Hamilton, Networks and International Director

Sarah joined IOSH in 1998, initially developing the Institution’s international remit. She has over 15 years’ experience in information service environments, through working in a European Information Centre linked to the European Commission, and providing international business information to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Sarah became Networks and International Director in February 2008, taking responsibility for both the Branches and Groups departments. She is now responsible for the development and promotion of IOSH’s vibrant and thriving branch and group networks, as well as managing a wide range of European and international occupational safety and health projects, including the strategic and operational co-ordination of IOSH’s international relationships. 

Hazel Harvey, Professional Affairs Director

A Chartered Member of IOSH, Hazel is a textile chemist with an M Phil in Applied Physics. She joined IOSH as Professional Affairs Manager in 1993 after working at DeMontfort University. She was employed to launch Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the Safety Awareness training programmes, and to develop an academic accreditation system.

As Professional Affairs Director, Hazel’s role covers all aspects of the regulation of the profession. This includes development of academic programmes leading to membership, registration of membership, Initial Professional Development, CPD (now going into its third version), Professional Development training programmes and the Regulation of the Profession and Code of Ethics.

Caroline Holden, Commercial Affairs Director

Caroline joined IOSH in 2000 in a senior management position, bringing with her extensive marketing expertise from the service sector, particularly in education. In addition to being Commercial Affairs Director, Caroline is an executive director of IOSH’s trading subsidiary, IOSH Services Ltd. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and a Chartered Marketer, and has an MSc in Strategic Marketing.

Caroline provides strategic direction for IOSH’s Commercial Affairs directorate, leading on market research projects, the development of training courses and services, promotion, customer service, individual contracts and quality control of the training delivered by IOSH’s respected network of training organisations.

Richard Jones, Policy and Technical Director

Richard has worked for IOSH since 2000 and has been a member for nearly 20 years. He has a Masters degree in Risk Management and Safety Technology; the NEBOSH Diploma in OSH; and is a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner and Fellow of the Institution. His experience includes 11 years in marine engineering with the Royal Navy and 22 years in aerospace engineering with Rolls-Royce.

As Policy and Technical Director, Richard is responsible for developing IOSH’s policies and positions and delivery of the public affairs function, including lobbying and support of campaigns and media activities. He represents IOSH on BSI and other external committees and at national and international events. He is also Vice Chair of the European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO) and technical adviser on the Joint Standards Advisory Panel for Safe-T-Cert.

Caroline Patel, Head of Publishing

Caroline worked as a journalist and in a range of publishing and communications roles before joining IOSH in 1995 as Head of Publishing. She developed her experience at a professional body and at The Work Foundation, as well as in her work for two commercial publishers. Caroline leads and directs the work of the publishing team, which writes, edits and designs almost every piece of communication (printed and online) on behalf of IOSH. She also leads IOSH’s brand and creative development and works closely with our Policy and Technical team to shape and manage our campaign work.

Rob Strange OBE, Chief Executive

Rob Strange became Chief Executive (CE) of IOSH on 1 January 2001. He joined the Institution in August 1997 as Deputy Chief Executive with specific responsibility for developing the range of commercial health and safety training courses and products, as well as for the secretariat and financial functions, before becoming CE (designate) in February 2000. He became a Trustee of IOSH in November 2005, and until recently was also a Trustee of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Rob was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced in June 2008.

Dr Luise Vassie, Head of Research and Technical Services

Luise joined IOSH in 2005 as Research and Technical Services Manager, before becoming Head of Research and Technical Services in 2008. For 14 years, Luise worked in academia carrying out research and consultancy and delivering postgraduate teaching and training in health and safety management. She frequently worked with organisations on a range of health and safety issues aimed at facilitating continuous improvement in occupational safety and health management. Currently, Luise has responsibility for overseeing and supporting our research activities and technical services.