The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Director/VP of Health & Safety (L6)
3-5 years at L6Skills to master
- At this level, you'd need to have successfully managed H&S for a major business unit or a significant global function, demonstrating strong strategic acumen, budget management (P&L £2M-£10M+), and experience presenting to executive leadership. You'd also need to have built and led a substantial team (25-100+ reports).
You're ready to move on when
- Consistent achievement of significant incident rate reductions across your business unit.
- Successful implementation of major H&S transformation programmes.
- Recognition as a thought leader within the company and potentially the industry.
- Strong relationships and influencing skills with C-suite peers and business unit leaders.
- Proven ability to manage complex regulatory challenges and major incidents effectively.
- 2
Head of Global Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)
4-6 years in a similar global leadership roleSkills to master
- This path requires a broader remit, combining environmental management with health and safety. You'd need to demonstrate expertise in both domains, managing global environmental compliance, sustainability initiatives, and the integration of EHS into overall business strategy. It's about a holistic approach to risk.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful management of both H&S and environmental performance across a global footprint.
- Experience in developing and implementing integrated EHS management systems.
- Demonstrable impact on the company's sustainability and ESG agenda.
- Strong understanding of international environmental regulations and reporting frameworks.