Senior safety professionals who can influence culture, lead transformation, and align health and safety with wider business goals are in growing demand by employers, the recruiter Irwin & Colton have said.
News
Top jobs in safety in greatest demand right now, says recruiter
Partner Michael Colton said that construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing, are where most of these roles are being advertised. These are sectors where organisations increasingly view safety as a “core ESG metric.”
Writing for their blog, Colton added that hybrid HSE and ESG roles are also on the increase, with roles a blend of safety with environmental and sustainability responsibilities.
Professionals with experience in carbon management, ethical supply chains, and social impact are therefore finding new opportunities in “evolving, multi-disciplinary roles”, said Colton.
Senior safety professionals who can influence culture, lead transformation, and align health and safety with wider business goals are in growing demand. Photograph: iStock
It comes as the percentage of new vacancies in health and safety went up by at least 10 per cent in October after a period of uncertainty reflecting an unstable economic climate, said the recruiter.
“After a muted first half of the year, the recent uptick in hiring activity feels significant, not just a blip,” said Michael Colton. “Whether this proves to be the start of a sustained recovery or a short-lived surge remains to be seen, but momentum is building again.”
“For both employers and professionals, now is the time to re-engage with the market, refine strategies, and prepare for what’s next.”
NEWS
Scheme to recognise commitment to transport staff wellbeing launched by Road Haulage Association
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 01 October 2026
A new Wellbeing Recognition Scheme designed to allow organisations across the HGV, coach and van sectors to demonstrate their commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and resilience of the industry’s workforce has been launched by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
Cost-of-living pressure is cutting into UK workers’ productivity, says report
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 04 October 2026
The cost of living is the single largest financial stressor for 62% of UK workers, far outweighing concerns about retirement savings (12%) and building emergency funds (8%), a new study has revealed. Sixty-two per cent of workers admit they do not fully understand the workplace retirement plan they pay into each month, according to TELUS Health’s Q2 2026 TELUS Mental Health Index.
Employers must meet staff to discuss flexible working requests, says first secretary of state
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 01 October 2026
Bosses must meet with employees who request flexible working and explain their reasons for any refusals, said Louise Haigh, first secretary of state, in a speech to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton on 15 September.