A champion for diversity and new talent has been nominated to become the next President-Elect of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Lawrence Webb CFIOSH, Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Strategy Director for Costain, is “honoured and privileged” to have been chosen by IOSH Council members, subject to approval at next month’s AGM.
He said: “These are unique and interesting times that continue to challenge us all, but there is so much to be excited about with a new IOSH Chair and CE already adding value, a new Presidential Team about to start, and our next strategy currently in development.
“I’m really looking forward to supporting Louise [Hosking] and her work as our new President along with my Presidential colleagues and the membership as a whole.
“There is always more that can be done to influence and collaborate with our stakeholders and further support the OSH industry and I hope to focus on the clear benefits that come from enhancing our profession’s diversity and recognition of neurodiversity.
“I also want to support smaller global organisations and their supply chains, which make up a huge proportion of the working population, and finally the future of the OSH world – our established Future Leaders and those who are still to develop or even decide on their careers.
With a career spanning almost 30 years, Lawrence is a construction specialist who has worked and influenced at all levels and across a range of industries, including defence, utilities and infrastructure, transport and logistics, and research and academia.
For his day job, Lawrence oversees the ongoing development of Costain’s SHE strategy and actively supports the bringing together of diverse minds and organisations. He is keen to influence the elimination of harm in all aspects of the design of the working environment and promote wellbeing and mental health.
As a long-serving active member of IOSH, he has served as a Vice-President, and a member of Council, the Construction Group and the Professional Standards Committee. He currently volunteers as an IOSH Mentor to help fellow OSH professionals at all levels achieve their goals and takes a lot from the process personally.
Lawrence is among four new elections to IOSH’s Presidential Team announced at the Council meeting on 12-13 October. Angela Abbs, Jo Price and Richard Bate are due to join existing Vice-Presidents Dr David Gold, Stuart Hughes and Neil Catton subject to confirmation at the AGM on 16 November.
The AGM will also see Louise Hosking take over from Jimmy Quinn to become IOSH President 2021-22, with Jimmy becoming Immediate Past President.
