Job Description

Position: Head of HSQE

Reporting to: HSQE Director

Confidentiality: N/A

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

• Rail & Transportation
• Civils & Construction
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Technology & Cyber Security
• Logistics & Intermodal Freight
• Defence

Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We have been exclusively appointed by our client company on a retained search for a Head of HSQE.

Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Research Manager of Ford and Stanley Executive Search, Senior Consultant Ford and Stanley Executive Search, Head of HR and the Interim HSQE Director.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements:

“We are entering an exciting new chapter and looking for a Head of HSQE who wants to play a defining role in shaping it.”

“This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation whilst its identity is being forged. Our strategy is clear, well‑structured, and already delivering results. We are on track to meet the requirements of the new concession and to maintain our Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation and the incoming Head of HSQE will be essential to the success of this.”

“You will lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of our Safety Management Systems and Environmental Management Systems, ensuring they remain robust, compliant, and forward‑looking in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. This is your opportunity to help define the future of a world‑class transportation service.”

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Well-structured and communicated strategy plan for the business unit.
• On track to deliver the new concession and continue to maintain the Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation.
• Develop, maintain and continually improve the SMS and EMS in line with legal and regulatory requirements.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Working Arrangements & Location:

Based 3 days per week at HQ in Central London, with 2 days working from home.

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

• First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared. 

• Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.

• The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.

Our Client Company’s Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: Competency-based interview with the People Director and interim Director of HSQE.
• 2nd Final Stage interview: Face-to-face interview focusing on cultural fit.

Good to know:  

• An industry-leading transportation business, bringing together the very best expertise to transform travel across London.
• It is important to note the new line is one of the busiest in the country with hundreds of thousands of journeys in a day.
• This opportunity has arisen due to the current health and safety leader leaving the business in March; the business have since expanded this role to include quality and environment responsibilities.
• This individual will have 4-7 capable and experienced direct reports, the Head of HSQE will report into the Interim HSQE Director.
• The Head of Safety, Quality and Environment is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, and assurance of safety and environment across the organisation. This role ensures that all operations are conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, industry best practice, and the Safety Management System (SMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS).
• This role requires a proactive, evidence-based leader who can influence culture, be a driver of organisational learning and develop a safety-first mindset across all business functions, ensuring that the business maintains a valid Safety Certificate, Safety Authorisation and ISO certifications.
• The post holder will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the SMS and EMS, providing assurance to the Executive Team, regulators, and other stakeholders that safety risks are effectively identified, assessed and controlled. They will also lead the delivery of audit, inspection, and assurance programmes, ensuring findings are translated into actionable improvements.
• This person will be required to oversee safety-related audit, inspection and assurance programmes, ensuring findings drive measurable improvements.
• The organisation is going through an exciting period of change; this allows the individual joining the business to really make their mark on this role and the changes they are going through.
• With a very authentic and strong valued team, it is a positive culture to join.

Competitive Budget & Supporting benefits

(Please contact me directly for full disclosure of benefits and salary banding)

Executive Search Delivery Team:

• Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search: (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Consulting, Networking, Shortlisting)
• Oliver Nunn – Research Manager: (Networking, Research, Search, Interviews)
• Emma Barlow – Senior Associate: (Market intelligence, Longlisting, Shortlisting, Headhunting)
• Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant: (Data, diary management and coordination)

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search are that of an executive search and talent advisory business.