Health & Safety Conference 2025
A day of inspiration, learning and innovation for safety professionals. Let’s redefine safety excellence together.
We are excited for this year’s Riskex Annual Health and Safety Conference and are delighted to announce this year’s theme:
Shifting from a Culture of Compliance to a Culture of Care
Our stellar speaker line up share a unified goal: to illuminate the profound impact of exceptional leadership on the health and safety profession and how it can help in the transformative journey of moving from a culture driven by compliance to one that embraces care and resilience.
Each session is designed to inspire and encourage you to drive meaningful change within your organisation.
As well as a full complement of presentations, our very own Nikki Porter will host a panel discussion to “frame the day” and act as a catalyst for instigating a shift from a Culture of Compliance to a Culture of Care.
Reserve your seat today and be inspired to create a workplace where every policy, every interaction, and every decision is infused with care.
Delta Hotel, Timbold Drive, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6HL
24th June 2025
This Year's Speaker Lineup is Here!
Panel Discussion
Changing Organisational Mindsets: From Compliance-Driven Safety to a Culture of Care
Our conference speakers will kick off the day by joining a panel discussion to examine what we mean when we talk about a “culture of care” and unpack how organisations can evolve from a compliance mindset to a workplace that nurtures a vibrant, proactive culture where care and resilience are not just goals, but everyday practices.
Nikki Porter
Managing Director at Riskex
Nikki has held senior leadership roles across the Risk Management Sector for more than 25 years. Her passion to make a difference to the health and safety profession by provoking thought and serving teams to reach their potential puts her in good stead to host this panel discussion to act as a catalyst for instigating a shift from a Culture of Compliance to a Culture of Care.
Rosie Russell
IIRSM Co-President and Director of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at MeiraGTx
Why Should the Boardroom Care about a Culture of Care?
In this session we will explore how building a culture of care through effective leadership can have the single biggest impact on a company’s bottom line.
Central to the discussion is the importance of tackling occupational stress and delving into the direct correlation between this and the quality of employee-line manager relationships. The presentation will explore how everyday managerial interactions can either alleviate or exacerbate stress, influencing overall employee engagement, productivity, and retention – and impacting financial performance.
Rosie will provide delegates with some practical takeaways and strategies for you to champion a Culture of Care and help you put employee wellbeing firmly on the boardroom agenda – and keep it there.
Rosie Russell
IIRSM Co-President and Director of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at MeiraGTx
Rosie Russell is President of IIRSM and Director of EHS at MeiraGTx, a research phase pharmaceutical company specialising in gene therapies. She started her career as a research chemist before moving into laboratory management and then health and safety.
While she started her professional life in the physical sciences, her professional life has led her to understand the importance of the psychology of work and what workplaces need to do to manage psychosocial risks and create an environment in which staff can thrive.
In her spare time, you will normally find her in the kitchen exploring her love of cooking or curled up on the sofa with a good book and a nice dram of whisky.
Kevin Barr CMIOSH PIEMA
IOSH Chiltern Branch Chair and Health & Safety – Procedures and Systems Manager at Lloyds Banking Group
Supporting Your Health & Safety Team Through Process Change
Change is inevitable in Health & Safety, whether driven by new regulations, technology, or organisational shifts. But too often, process changes become overly complicated, leading to confusion, resistance, and disengagement. This session focuses on making change simple, clear, and inclusive, ensuring your team can adapt with confidence and minimal disruption.
You’ll learn how to build early momentum, communicate effectively, and engage people from all backgrounds and experience levels. The focus will be on practical strategies that cut through complexity—keeping the process straightforward, relevant, and easy to adopt. We’ll explore ways to maintain engagement and ensure the change sticks long after implementation.
Change doesn’t have to be difficult. By keeping it simple, involving the right people, and sustaining momentum, you can turn process change from a challenge into an opportunity.
Kevin Barr CMIOSH PIEMA
IOSH Chiltern Branch Chair and Health & Safety – Procedures and Systems Manager at Lloyds Banking Group
Kevin is a Chartered Member of IOSH and a Practitioner Member of IEMA. A well-known and respected figure in health and safety circles, he utilises his extensive experience to assist teams in navigating complex organisational challenges.
Renowned for his pragmatic approach, Kevin leads teams to think beyond conventional strategies, encouraging a broader consideration of methodologies to meet the demands of modern risk management.
Drawing upon his extensive industry experience, as well as his Non-Executive Director and Trustee roles, Kevin supports organisations in driving cultural improvement, enhancing leadership capability, strengthening governance, and fostering more effective stakeholder engagement.
Is Binary Thinking Holding the Health & Safety Profession Back from Achieving its Purpose?
Binary thinking can be a double-edged sword in the world of Health & Safety. On one hand, clear-cut rules, specific stances and simple yes/no decisions help with quick, actionable responses, which are often necessary for compliance and immediate risk mitigation. On the other hand, many safety challenges exist on a continuum rather than in a strict safe/unsafe binary.
When we rely too much on binary thinking, we risk overlooking the subtle interplay of factors like human behaviour and organisational culture, ultimately limiting the profession’s ability to innovate and adapt in the face of emerging risks.
As we navigate a more sophisticated set of health and safety challenges and adopt a more progressive Culture of Care, our ability to step into ‘and’ thinking is important for any progressive leader – but it’s critical to the advancement of the health and safety profession – and Anna will provide compelling insights to explain why.
Moreover, Anna will share some tools and framework principles that will help empower health and safety leaders to have the confidence to be curious and not hold back from pushing great ideas that lend themselves to building a Culture of Care.
Anna Keen
Anna Keen Consulting
Anna spent the first 13 years of her career working in recruitment with a particular focus on Safety and Environmental roles in the Construction, Property and Engineering sectors.
After spending some time doing Exec Search works in Australia, she became curious about the lack of non-technical development in these professions. After returning to the UK in 2015, she formed Acre Frameworks to create development pathways for the profession that enabled them to move beyond being competent to being highly effective in role.
For the following 8 years, she has had the privilege of coaching and developing some of the world’s most progressive Safety and Sustainability teams, including Netflix, Amazon and PepsiCo. It’s through this work she has developed a deep understanding of what it truly takes to drive purposeful change within an organisation and society at large. Anna’s work has more recently evolved to working with Senior Leaders and Board Members in a variety of organisations. Those looking to drive a more human-centred approach to leadership in their business and recognise that if you want to make change, the first place you need to start is with yourself!
Preparing for the Upcoming Martyn’s Law
With the impending introduction of Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill), organisations must proactively enhance their security measures to mitigate the risks of terrorist threats. This presentation will provide a clear and practical roadmap to ensure businesses and venues comply with the new legislation while prioritising public safety.
Key Topics Covered:
- Understanding Martyn’s Law – An overview of the legislation, its purpose, and who it applies to.
- Legal and Compliance Requirements – Breaking down the Standard and Enhanced Tier obligations for different venues.
Risk Assessment & Mitigation – Steps to evaluate vulnerabilities and implement proportionate security measures. - Training & Preparedness – Staff training, emergency response planning, and public awareness initiatives.
- Technology & Security Solutions – Exploring tools and best practices for improving security infrastructure.
- Next Steps for Businesses & Organisations – A checklist to ensure readiness ahead of enforcement.
Team 9
Team 9 are a Security Consultancy and a trailblazer in the discipline of Counter terrorism. Team 9 Founders, Tony Manze and Paul Davidson are subject matter experts in Close protection, Martyn’s Law, and Serious Security Investigations. Tony is one of the UK’s most experienced close protection experts and Paul is highly skilled in overseeing complex security investigations and has operated as a Special Advisor to the UK Government.
Today, Team 9 advises the highest levels of UK government, as well as commercial organisations including finance, aviation, and insurance industry partners.
James Munton Dip NEBOSH, CMIOSH
Director of Infrastructure and Health and Safety
C S Ellis (Group)
Near Misses Matter: Leveraging Incident Reporting to Prevent Future Accidents
Every near-miss is a learning opportunity. Those close calls where no one was injured but an accident was narrowly avoided – are valuable learning opportunities that often go unreported or ignored. This session discusses how organisations can implement effective near-miss reporting systems, analyse root causes, and take corrective action to prevent future workplace accidents.
James Munton Dip NEBOSH, CMIOSH
Director of Infrastructure and Health and Safety C S Ellis (Group)
James has over 20 years’ experience leading safety initiatives that not only improve overall Health and safety performance but also empowers teams to think and act safely.
During his tenure at CS Ellis (Group), James has led programmes to reduce workplace incidents and improve safety culture through systematic implementation of good practice – most recently culminating in leading the company to achieve the internationally-recognised health and safety business management system, ISO 45001
Blueprint for the Future: Key Considerations in Crafting a Long-Term Health and Safety Strategy
In an era of rapid change and evolving risks, organisations must look beyond short-term fixes to develop robust, forward-thinking strategies that safeguard both employees and operations. This presentation will explore the critical considerations for writing a long-term strategy for health and safety, offering a comprehensive roadmap that aligns with organisational goals and adapts to emerging challenges.
This session will combine theory with practical insights through case studies, interactive discussions, and actionable strategies. Attendees will leave with a toolkit to design and implement a long-term health and safety strategy that is both comprehensive and adaptable, ensuring resilient operations and a safer working environment for the future.
Join us to gain valuable insights into the strategic planning process and to equip your organisation with the foundations needed to thrive in an ever-changing risk landscape.
Elaine Floodgate
Risk & Compliance Director Chartered Insurance Institute
Elaine has held senior roles in the GRC space for more than 25 years. Most recently she has led the Risk and Compliance team at the Chartered Insurance Institute but has previously worked in the private, NFP and public sectors.
Elaine is passionate about empowering teams to drive a culture of excellence in health and safety management and bringing about effective change through connecting people, process and technology.
Why attend?
The Riskex Annual Conference 2025 is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest insights and trends in workplace safety.
- Engaging Presentations: Hear from safety experts across UK industries.
- Gain actionable insights to elevate your safety practices.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers who share your commitment to safety excellence.
The event will also allow you to:
- Earn CPD points
- Understand how your peers manage health and safety challenges
- Meet the architects behind AssessNET and find out about our product roadmap
- Network with other health and safety professionals and Riskex delivery partners
Feedback from last year's conference
Elaine Floodgate from Chartered Insurance Institute
Bob Mayley from G4S Solutions
Pete Baker from Community Health Partnerships
Register Here
Annual Conference 2025 Agenda
9:00 - 9:30
Registration and Coffee/Pastries
9:30 - 9:45
Welcome and Introductions
Nikki Porter
Managing Director
Riskex
9:45 - 10:30
Panel Discussion: Changing Organisational Mindsets: From Compliance-Driven Safety to a Culture of Care
Rosie Russell
IIRSM Co-President and Director of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at MeiraGTx
10:30 - 11:15
Rosie Russell: Why Should the Boardroom Care about a Culture of Care?
11:15 - 11:35
Coffee Break
Kevin Barr CMIOSH PIEMA
IOSH Chiltern Branch Chair and Health & Safety – Procedures and Systems Manager at Lloyds Banking Group
11:35 - 12:05
Kevin Barr: Supporting Your Health & Safety Team Through Process Change
Anna Keen
Founder of Anna Keen Consulting
12:05 - 12:45
Anna Keen: Is Binary Thinking Holding the Health & Safety Profession Back from Achieving its Purpose?
12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
Tony Manze & Paul Davidson
Founding Directors of Team 9
James Munton Dip NEBOSH, CMIOSH
Director of Infrastructure and Health and Safety
C S Ellis (Group)
14:00 - 14:30
James Munton: Near Misses Matter: Leveraging Incident Reporting to Prevent Future Accidents
14:30 - 14:50
Coffee Break
Elaine Floodgate
Risk & Compliance Director
Chartered Insurance Institute
14:50 - 15:20
Elaine Floodgate: Blueprint for the Future: Key Considerations in Crafting a Long-Term Health and Safety Strategy
15:20 - 15:45
Endnote and Key Takeaways
15:45
Close
9:45 - 10:30
Panel Discussion
Changing Organisational Mindsets: From Compliance-Driven Safety to a Culture of Care
Our conference speakers will kick off the day by joining a panel discussion to examine what we mean when we talk about a “culture of care” and unpack how organisations can evolve from a compliance mindset to a workplace that nurtures a vibrant, proactive culture where care and resilience are not just goals, but everyday practices.
10:30 - 11:15
Rosie Russell
Why Should the Boardroom Care about a Culture of Care?
In this session we will explore how building a culture of care through effective leadership can have the single biggest impact on a company’s bottom line.
Central to the discussion is the importance of tackling occupational stress and delving into the direct correlation between this and the quality of employee-line manager relationships. The presentation will explore how everyday managerial interactions can either alleviate or exacerbate stress, influencing overall employee engagement, productivity, and retention – and impacting financial performance.
Rosie will provide delegates with some practical takeaways and strategies for you to champion a Culture of Care and help you put employee wellbeing firmly on the boardroom agenda – and keep it there.
11:35 - 12:05
Kevin Barr CMIOSH PIEMA
Supporting Your Health & Safety Team Through Process Change
Change is inevitable in Health & Safety, whether driven by new regulations, technology, or organisational shifts. But too often, process changes become overly complicated, leading to confusion, resistance, and disengagement. This session focuses on making change simple, clear, and inclusive, ensuring your team can adapt with confidence and minimal disruption.
You’ll learn how to build early momentum, communicate effectively, and engage people from all backgrounds and experience levels. The focus will be on practical strategies that cut through complexity—keeping the process straightforward, relevant, and easy to adopt. We’ll explore ways to maintain engagement and ensure the change sticks long after implementation.
Change doesn’t have to be difficult. By keeping it simple, involving the right people, and sustaining momentum, you can turn process change from a challenge into an opportunity.
12:05 - 12:45
Anna Keen
Is Binary Thinking Holding the Health & Safety Profession Back from Achieving its Purpose?
Binary thinking can be a double-edged sword in the world of Health & Safety. On one hand, clear-cut rules, specific stances and simple yes/no decisions help with quick, actionable responses, which are often necessary for compliance and immediate risk mitigation. On the other hand, many safety challenges exist on a continuum rather than in a strict safe/unsafe binary.
When we rely too much on binary thinking, we risk overlooking the subtle interplay of factors like human behaviour and organisational culture, ultimately limiting the profession’s ability to innovate and adapt in the face of emerging risks.
As we navigate a more sophisticated set of health and safety challenges and adopt a more progressive Culture of Care, our ability to step into ‘and’ thinking is important for any progressive leader – but it’s critical to the advancement of the health and safety profession – and Anna will provide compelling insights to explain why.
Moreover, Anna will share some tools and framework principles that will help empower health and safety leaders to have the confidence to be curious and not hold back from pushing great ideas that lend themselves to building a Culture of Care.
13:30 - 14:00
Tony Manze & Paul Davidson
Preparing for the Upcoming Martyn’s Law
With the impending introduction of Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill), organisations must proactively enhance their security measures to mitigate the risks of terrorist threats. This presentation will provide a clear and practical roadmap to ensure businesses and venues comply with the new legislation while prioritizing public safety.
Key Topics Covered:
Understanding Martyn’s Law – An overview of the legislation, its purpose, and who it applies to.
Legal and Compliance Requirements – Breaking down the Standard and Enhanced Tier obligations for different venues.
Risk Assessment & Mitigation – Steps to evaluate vulnerabilities and implement proportionate security measures.
Training & Preparedness – Staff training, emergency response planning, and public awareness initiatives.
Technology & Security Solutions – Exploring tools and best practices for improving security infrastructure.
Next Steps for Businesses & Organisations – A checklist to ensure readiness ahead of enforcement.
14:00 - 14:30
James Munton Dip NEBOSH, CMIOSH
Near Misses Matter: Leveraging Incident Reporting to Prevent Future Accidents
Every near-miss is a learning opportunity. Those close calls where no one was injured but an accident was narrowly avoided – are valuable learning opportunities that often go unreported or ignored. This session discusses how organisations can implement effective near-miss reporting systems, analyse root causes, and take corrective action to prevent future workplace accidents.
14:50 - 15:20
Elaine Floodgate
Blueprint for the Future: Key Considerations in Crafting a Long-Term Health and Safety Strategy
In an era of rapid change and evolving risks, organisations must look beyond short-term fixes to develop robust, forward-thinking strategies that safeguard both employees and operations. This presentation will explore the critical considerations for writing a long-term strategy for health and safety, offering a comprehensive roadmap that aligns with organisational goals and adapts to emerging challenges.
This session will combine theory with practical insights through case studies, interactive discussions, and actionable strategies. Attendees will leave with a toolkit to design and implement a long-term health and safety strategy that is both comprehensive and adaptable, ensuring resilient operations and a safer working environment for the future.
Join us to gain valuable insights into the strategic planning process and to equip your organisation with the foundations needed to thrive in an ever-changing risk landscape.
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