Our people

Mike was appointed as Chief Executive of the British Safety Council on 1 September 2015. Prior to this, Mike was a co-founder of Global Navigation Solutions, the world's leading provider of paper and digital navigation products and services to commercial shipping.

Previously, Mike held the post of Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. Over five years, Mike grew the business substantially, increasing profits and positioning the organisation to respond to increasing competition.

Before moving into the maritime services sector, Mike had a successful 15 years’ career in Financial Services, building HBOS's European Financial Services business and sitting on the boards of HBOS Europe and North America.

Mike qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse and spent several years at the start of his career in Audit and Consultancy.

As a recent graduate, Jigna joined the British Safety Council in August 1999 as a Regional Account Executive. Since then Jigna has held several positions including Quality Manager where, under her stewardship, the British Safety Council gained certification to the ISO 9001 standard. As Head of Membership and Client Services, Jigna oversaw significant growth in international membership and developed and launched an enhanced membership proposition and engagement programme. Jigna held the position of Director of Operations until her promotion in 2015.

Jigna has a law degree from Trinity College, Cambridge and is a member of the Association of Project Managers.

Sarah Casemore is the Managing Director at industry charity Mates in Mind. Mates in Mind was launched in 2017 to raise awareness, address the stigma of poor mental health and improve mental wellbeing in the construction sector. Mates in Mind has led in the creation of an innovative approach that helps companies nurture positive mental wellbeing amongst their workforce working in construction and wider construction-related industries. Key to its success is breaking the silence and stigma that can surround mental health in society in general, and the workplace in sectors such as construction in particular.

Sarah has extensive experience working in the public sector and charity sectors. Prior to leading Mates in Mind, she was Director of Operations at Relate leading the strategic direction and service delivery of relationship counselling across England and Wales for individuals, couples, children, young people and families in addition to mediation. This included overseeing the implementation of an innovative and successful telephone and live-chat pilot service delivered by a team of counsellors throughout the pandemic funded by The National Lottery and NHS Midlands and London, supporting people facing a wide range of personal and relationship challenges as a result of the situation. As Director of Operations at The Poppy Factory a nationwide military charity, she led the multi award-winning employability service supporting hundreds of British Armed Forces veterans each year with physical or mental health conditions (including those with PTSD, depression and complex health issues) into sustainable employment often in the construction, transport and logistics industries.

In addition, Sarah brings 25 years’ experience of working in the NHS – starting as a chartered physiotherapist, progressed to being a Director of Commissioning at a CCG, spent time as a GP practice manager and finally worked as Deputy Director of Operations managing General Medicine, Emergency Care and Therapies at a leading hospital trust in Surrey.

Roni joined the organisation in March 2001 having previously held various senior positions at Auto Trader Group of companies were he was responsible for growing UK and International income as well as profitability.

Since joining British Safety Council Roni has had several roles within the organisation in the commercial area of the business. As Commercial Director, he was instrumental in introducing new British Safety Council products and services as well as IOSH and NEBOSH courses to UK and Global Markets. As Business Development and International Director, he played a leading role to grow our business in International Markets as well as creating a delivery partner in Turkey. More recently Roni has played a key role in setting up our new office in Mumbai enabling us to have business development and delivery capabilities to further support our customers in India.

Paul joined the British Safety Council in May 2018 as Engagement Director, having spent 26 years in numerous business to business and consumer focused marketing and business development type roles.  Having spent a significant part of his career within the insurance industry heading up the marketing for brands like Direct Line and Churchill, he is a Chartered Insurance Practitioner and holds an honours degree in financial services.

He has subsequently held senior marketing and business development roles, firstly, at Circle Housing, which was one of the largest social housing and care/support providers in the UK.  Then more recently within the travel industry, having been Development Director for The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust.

Paul brings a wealth of experience in UK and international not for profit, commercial and member based marketing best practice.  He also has significant experience in leading large omni-channel disruptive campaigns as well as digital and brand transformations.

Peter McGettrick is the Chairman of British Safety Council, since 26 October 2021.

Peter is the Managing Director of Advisory at Turner & Townsend and is responsible for over 400 professionals working across contract services, consulting, technology, operational excellence, health, safety and quality. Peter has been with Turner & Townsend for over 5 years, and previously spent 15 years at Capita where he was latterly Divisional Managing Director. Peter is originally from Glasgow where he obtained his Bachelors, Masters and MBA degrees and is also a Chartered Safety Practitioner by background. Peter has managed and grown numerous businesses throughout his career and is passionate about creating a high performing environment where people can fulfil their potential. Peter is a keen sportsman and in the past has played squash regionally and coached internationally.

Lawrence Waterman OBE CFIOSH is the former Chairman of British Safety Council.

He was formerly head of health and safety for the London Olympic Delivery Authority, which proved to be the safest and healthiest major construction project in Europe, incorporating the venues, infrastructure and athletes’ village for the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which he was appointed OBE for services to health and safety in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Honours.

Lawrence is a founding partner of Park Health and Safety Partnership. He has led the development of occupational health and safety programmes for major projects and organisations, in some of the most challenging environments. Since London 2012, he has been the Director of Health and Safety for the Battersea Power Station Development, an advisor to the Tideway project team and a member of Tarmac’s senior leadership team. He remains the senior adviser to the London Legacy Development Corporation, which continues to develop the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is also providing support for the Royal Albert Dock Development.

He is the past president of IOSH. Lawrence is also a visiting professor at Loughborough University, where he both teaches and participates in research.

Appointed to the Board in August 2017, Philip has over 30 years’ experience of working in a regulatory environment originally joining the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a Factory Inspector. He spent a period working in the Department for Work and Pensions to head up the Health and Safety Sponsorship Team, advising Government Ministers on health and safety at work policy and the work of the Health and Safety Executive. More recently he was HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction before taking up his current role as Head of HSE’s Operational Strategy Division.

Samantha is an experienced executive, working primarily in the field of health and wellbeing, and more recently as chief executive of the General Optical Council, the UK wide regulator for optical professionals and businesses. She is currently on sabbatical, doing a PhD on altruism at Bath University. Samantha has a strong track record in organisational development and change within the public and voluntary sector. 

Stephen was appointed to the Board in August 2018.  He left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications.  He subsequently gained two degrees and a host of vocational qualifications, all through part-time study.  He started his academic career as a lecturer in 1977 before becoming a 6th Form college principal in 1996. His subsequent posts include senior manager at Ofsted, director of education at Tower Hamlets and CEO of Midkent College where he retired from in 2016. In addition, he was a non-executive director of Pearson Education Ltd from 2000-18. Stephen was awarded the OBE in 2013, for services to Further education.  

Appointed as a Trustee in October 2018, David has 15 years’ experience in senior commercial leadership roles, predominantly in the material handling industry.  David is currently head of division at Piab, a world leader in moving and gripping solutions based on vacuum technology. David has a strong track record driving rapid revenue growth across numerous companies globally. 

Prasad Bangalore has been appointed to the Board in March 2020. He is an experienced executive with over 20 years of cross sector experience in technology gained by working in both public and private sector industries. In addition to his engineering background and MBA he has recently obtained Diploma in Company Direction from IoD. He has been volunteering and been on the management board in public sector sports & wellbeing sector and Is passionate about helping organisations in developing and executing their technology strategies.

Arun Muttreja has worked in the humanitarian and development sector in Asia/Pacific, Africa, Caribbean and Europe for nearly 40 years with national and international organisations, while being based in India and the UK.  He is an International Development Consultant and recent roles have included leading on partnerships and fundraising for Save the Children India and strategic partnership development for the Open University. He has extensive experience in senior leadership roles with Save the Children UK on humanitarian response, programme development and management, partnership development and management, strategic and operational planning, financial management and governance, global systems and change management/organisational transformation.  He has been the Country Director of VSO India and Regional Programme Manager with VSO in the Caribbean and the Pacific. He is also on the Board of VSO India Trust and the Railway Children (UK).

Rupert is an economist and investment professional with over 30 years’ experience in the financial sector. He has worked at several leading financial institutions and held positions as chief economist, chief investment officer and head of research. He has a strong track record in boosting investment performance and is a regular commentator on CNBC and Bloomberg. Currently, he is global investment strategist at a UK wealth manager.

Ian joined the board of BSC in April 2022. His career has been largely spent in senior positions in the property, media and marketing industries before a final nine years as finance and operations director of Asthma UK retiring in 2013.

He has served as a trustee, treasurer and chair of the investment committees for other national charities and is a Chartered Accountant. Other than finance his experience includes corporate planning and strategy, change management and board responsibility for HR and IT and corporate governance

Jonathan is Executive Director, Wellbeing Sustainability & Assurance for leading FM Company EMCOR UK responsible for the development and practical application of the organisations enterprise strategies for these disciplines A Fellow of IIRSM and the Royal Society of Fellows, Jonathan has Masters degrees in Behaviour Change and in Health Research. A PhD student studying Organisational Health & Wellbeing, Jonathan is a Board Trustee for the Society of Occupational Medicine and sits on the Business in the Community Wellbeing Leadership Team.

Appointed as a Trustee in March 2020, Jennie has 18 years’ experience in health and wellbeing roles, predominately within the construction sector.  Jennie is currently Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Tideway as well as the Managing Director of Construction Health and Wellbeing LTD. Jennie is passionate about creating a healthy future for all workplaces and their employees.