Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety strategy across a dynamic, multi-business group.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing private equity-owned group with a transformative vision.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100,000 and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health and safety while driving commercial growth.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent; senior H&S leadership experience required.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape a best-in-class H&S framework in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible (weekly London visit; hybrid site travel)
Salary: Up to £100,000
Sector: Private Equity / Multi-Business Group
Irwin and Colton are partnering with a rapidly growing, private equity-owned group to appoint a Group Head of Health & Safety. Reporting to the CEO, this is the most senior H&S role across the group, responsible for setting the vision, governance, and performance framework for health and safety while enabling subsidiary leadership teams to own and deliver outcomes within their operations. Given the group's acquisitive growth strategy, the role is highly transformational. The successful candidate will design, embed, and continuously evolve a scalable, best-in-class H&S operating model, including the onboarding and integration of newly acquired businesses. The role balances strategic oversight with pragmatic delivery, protecting people while supporting commercial growth and investor expectations.
Key Responsibilities
- Build a scalable strategic and operating framework suitable for a decentralised, multi-risk portfolio
- Define the target-state model, governance, roles, and Group-subsidiary interfaces
- Act as senior H&S advisor to the Executive, Board, and Investors
- Set group-wide policies, standards, minimum requirements, and risk appetite
- Establish assurance mechanisms, escalation thresholds, and governance forums
- Ensure compliance across jurisdictions and readiness for diligence, refinancing, or exit
- Lead Board and investor reporting on performance, risk, and emerging issues
- Own group H&S performance management, KPIs, leading indicators, and systems
- Implement data-led insight, trend analysis, and predictive risk management
- Drive consistency and quality of reporting while enabling local ownership
- Partner with subsidiary leaders to embed strong safety cultures and accountability
- Lead onboarding and uplift of newly acquired businesses
- Provide expert support and challenge without removing operational ownership
- Oversee risk identification, audits, incident investigation, and corrective action
- Build and lead a small, high-impact central H&S capability
- Define competence standards and develop H&S capability at all levels
Candidate Profile
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent); CertIOSH minimum
- Senior H&S leadership experience in complex, multi-site or multi-business environments
- Group-level experience, ideally within private equity or decentralised organisations
- Proven track record of building or transforming H&S frameworks
- Strategic, commercially astute leader with strong Board-level influence
For more information on this opportunity or to discuss your next career move, contact Matthew Cathcart on +44 (phone number removed) or apply here.
Group Head of Health and Safety employer: Irwin & Colton
Contact Detail:
Irwin & Colton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Health and Safety
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s culture and values. We recommend tailoring your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in health and safety leadership.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We believe that being well-prepared can make all the difference in landing that top role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. We suggest reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to their health and safety vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Health and Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Group Head of Health & Safety role. Highlight your strategic leadership in health and safety, especially in multi-site environments, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this transformational role. Share examples of how you've built or transformed H&S frameworks in the past.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualifications. We want to see your credentials front and centre, as they’re crucial for this senior position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Irwin & Colton
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in health and safety regulations, especially those relevant to private equity and multi-business environments. Brush up on your NEBOSH Diploma knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've transformed H&S frameworks in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to articulate your vision for a scalable H&S operating model. Think about how you would define governance and roles within a decentralised structure, and be ready to share examples of how you've successfully implemented similar strategies in the past.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be prepared to discuss real-life scenarios where you’ve had to lead risk identification or incident investigations. Use these examples to demonstrate your ability to balance strategic oversight with practical delivery, showing how you protect people while supporting commercial growth.
✨Connect with the Company Culture
Research the company’s values and culture, especially their approach to health and safety. Be ready to discuss how you would partner with subsidiary leaders to embed strong safety cultures and accountability, aligning your approach with their existing practices.
