Regional Head of SHEQ in Hemel Hempstead

Cardo Group is a trusted provider of building maintenance, refurbishment, and retrofit services for social housing and public sector buildings across the UK. With nationwide coverage and skilled local teams, we deliver a reliable end-to-end service that ensures homes and public spaces are safe, sustainable, and well-maintained. We specialise in responsive repairs and voids, planned maintenance, energy-efficiency upgrades, compliance works, and major improvement programmes. Our approach combines quality workmanship, strong resident communication, and efficient project delivery to achieve the best outcomes for customers and communities. Driven by ambitious growth plans, we continue to expand our capabilities and adapt to the evolving needs of our clients. Our reputation is built on consistent service delivery, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to doing things the right way. As we grow, so do the opportunities – for our people, our clients, and the communities we support. Cardo Group is becoming one of the UK’s most forward-thinking maintenance and retrofit providers.

Role Purpose: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company’s HSE strategy, management systems, and culture across construction and maintenance operations. Ensure compliance with legal and client requirements, maintain certification to ISO 45001 (OH&S), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 9001 (Quality), Chair HSE Meetings, and drive performance excellence through proactive risk management and collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Strategy, Governance & Leadership: Define and deliver the HSE strategy aligned to business objectives and risk profile, reporting regularly to the Managing Directors and Board. Own and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) covering ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001, ensuring effective policies, processes, and controls. Champion a positive HSE culture, leading behavioural safety programmes and frontline engagement. Provide strategic HSE input to bids, tenders, major projects, and frameworks.
• Compliance, Standards & Certification: Ensure compliance with UK H&S law (e.g., HSWA 1974, CDM Regulations 2015, Working at Height, PUWER, LOLER, COSHH, RIDDOR), environmental legislation, and client-specific requirements. Maintain third-party certification including SSiP, ISO 45001/14001/9001, managing external audits and internal audit programmes. Oversee legal registers, permit-to-work systems, construction phase plans, risk assessments (RAMS), and environmental controls (waste, air, water, noise). Lead operational risk identification and mitigation across projects, planned maintenance, and reactive works. Drive incident prevention through trend analysis, inspections, and assurance visits; manage investigations using root-cause methodologies. Support CDM duty holders (Client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor) and ensure competence, appointments, and documentation are robust.
• Performance Management & Reporting: Establish HSE KPIs (leading & lagging), dashboards, and monthly reporting to Managing Directors. Monitor injury/illness rates, near-misses, observations, audit outcomes, environmental incidents, and quality defects. Set performance targets and action plans; lead Management Review meetings for the IMS. Review AFR, accident trends and establish road maps for reduction.
• Training, Competence & Engagement: Develop the HSE training matrix (e.g., SMSTS/SSSTS, IOSH/NEBOSH, first aid, fire, asbestos awareness, confined spaces, manual handling, environmental awareness). Implement induction and toolbox talk programmes; ensure subcontractor competence and oversight. Lead engagement campaigns (Safe by Choice/Make It Right) and recognition schemes.
• Supply Chain & Client Interface: Prequalify and monitor subcontractor HSE performance, including audits and improvement plans. Act as senior HSE interface for clients, principal contractors, and regulators (e.g., HSE, EA/NRW, local authorities). Support social value and sustainability commitments—carbon, waste minimisation, biodiversity, pollution prevention.
• Quality Integration (ISO 9001): Ensure quality management is integrated with safety and environment: document control, NCR/defect management, corrective action, change control. Oversee process mapping, risk-based thinking, and continual improvement projects tied to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Lead serious incident response, reporting, and liaison with authorities; ensure RIDDOR compliance. Maintain and test emergency plans for site operations (fire, spill, environmental harm, structural failure). Own HSE data systems (e.g., reporting apps, dashboards), ensuring accurate, timely information. Drive continuous improvement projects (e.g., near-miss utilisation, behavioural safety, environmental controls, quality right-first-time).

You Will Need:

• Significant experience leading HSE in construction and maintenance environments (multi-site, live assets, reactive works).
• Demonstrable experience maintaining ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001 certifications; strong internal auditing credentials (IRCA lead auditor preferred).
• Deep knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015, temporary works, confined spaces, asbestos, utilities, lifting operations, traffic management, and working at height.
• Environmental competency (IEMA or equivalent) and familiarity with carbon/waste management.
• Strong stakeholder management—clients, regulators, and supply chain.

We Will Provide:

• Excellent development and progression opportunities.
• Range of Salary Sacrifice Schemes [holiday purchase, EV schemes, AVC Pension contributions].
• Life Assurance cover.
• Wellbeing Resources and Counselling services.
• Retail & Lifestyle Discount Platform.
• Enhanced Family Leave Provisions.
• Recognition initiatives and awards.
• Occupational Sick Pay.
• Private Medical Insurance.

Please note all our roles are subject to Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Why Join Cardo Group? We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Diverse perspectives strengthen our business, drive innovation, and help us better serve the communities we work with. Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is rooted in our core values:

• Teamwork: We collaborate, support one another, and achieve more together.
• Integrity: We act with honesty, fairness, and transparency in everything we do.
• Excellence: We set high standards and deliver quality for our people and our customers.
• Respect: We value every individual and create a space where all voices are heard. We ensure fair opportunities, embrace diverse backgrounds and experiences, and foster a culture where everyone truly belongs.

Join us on our ambitious, exciting, and inclusive journey.