The EHS Congress returns to London on 28–29 October, bringing together global leaders to share insights, ideas, and practical solutions for building stronger safety cultures.
As a media partner, Shirley Parsons is delighted to offer our network an exclusive discount on tickets. Please contact Liam Tiddy, Head of Executive Search at Shirley Parsons, to obtain your discount.
To find out why this event stands out, we spoke to Richard Hulland, Chief Risk and Insurance Officer for Veolia in Northern Europe – a returning speaker at the Congress.
Empowering people to ‘stop the job’
Richard will speak about the empowerment of frontline teams to stop work if they feel something isn’t safe – a principle at the heart of Veolia’s “caring culture”. He says:
“We’ve had our ‘Stop the Job’ empowerment in place for nearly ten years. It’s helped us create a more proactive culture. Our CEO and board are fully behind it, and that gives people the confidence to make the most difficult call - stopping a job if necessary.”
Why EHS Congress stands out.
Richard has attended both the London and Berlin editions of the EHS Congress.
“It’s the highlight of my year. The Congress has a great energy, the quality of the speakers is exceptional, and the discussions are open and honest, about what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong. It’s also the perfect size for real networking, and because it draws speakers and delegates from so many sectors, from oil and gas to waste management and aviation, there’s a lot to learn and take back.”
Energy, engagement, and cultural leadership.
Richard highlights the unique atmosphere of the event, shaped by the Congress founder, Andrew Sharman.
“Andrew and his team bring real energy to the event. It’s not just another conference, it’s engaging, interactive, and focused on the human side of safety. My first time presenting, Andrew had me dancing on stage! That kind of spirit reflects the importance of connecting with people, not just delivering procedures and processes.”
This emphasis on culture and connection mirrors the shift many organisations are striving to make – moving beyond compliance to creating workplaces where everyone feels responsible for safety.
Learning from other sectors.
“We can become siloed in our own industries. Hearing how other sectors tackle challenges opens your mind to new approaches. Sometimes it reassures me that we’re ahead of the curve; sometimes it sparks an idea we can adapt to our own organisation.”
Key challenges ahead.
Richard sees cultural engagement as the foundation for better safety decisions but also highlights emerging issues:
- Using technology and AI effectively without losing human judgement.
- Tackling persistent risks in traffic management and lithium battery fires.
- Continuing to focus on empowering individuals to do the right thing.
“If I wasn’t speaking, I’d still be going. Those two days give me a chance to reflect on what we’re doing at Veolia and benchmark ourselves against others. I always come away with practical ideas and a stronger network.”
Spotlight on leadership.
Shirley Parsons’ Global Director of Consulting & Advisory Services, Nick Farkas, will also join a distinguished panel debate at the Congress on Tuesday 28th.
The session, which will be centred around Leadership: The Make-or-Break Factor in Safety Performance, will address how leadership expectations, styles, and priorities are shifting in today’s fast-changing world of work. Bringing together academic, practical, and talent perspectives, senior voices from NEBOSH, IILSC, and Shirley Parsons will explore what “good leadership” really means in 2025 and beyond.
Join us at the EHS Congress.
The EHS Congress takes place on 28–29 October in London.
To take advantage of the exclusive discount for Shirley Parsons contacts, please reach out to Liam Tiddy, Head of Executive Search at Shirley Parsons at liam.tiddy@shirleyparsons.com.
