“Shirley Talks To…” is our interview series where Brand Ambassador Shirley Parsons sits down with influential voices in Environment, Health, Safety, Quality and Wellbeing to hear their stories, insights and views on the future of the profession.
In this episode, Shirley speaks with Phil Clarke, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Care UK, about his career journey, leadership philosophy and what he believes truly matters for aspiring HSEQ professionals.
Phil began his career in the British Army, spending 12 years in the Intelligence Corps before transitioning into health and safety via Environmental Health. This unconventional route gave him a strong foundation in risk, evidence-based decision-making and a holistic view of health, safety and wellbeing.
Highlights from their conversation include:
- Health and safety should enable and support operational activity, not restrict it.
- Understanding core HSEQ principles allows professionals to work effectively across sectors.
- Recruiting for potential, mindset and soft skills over qualifications alone.
- The value of open career conversations and fostering psychological safety in teams.
- The importance of listening and talking with people rather than at them
“Listen to people. Understand how the organisation works, support them to do their job safely, and always talk with them, not at them.”
We’d like to thank Phil for sharing his insights and experiences with us. His reflections highlight the importance of enabling safe operations, leading with empathy, and supporting people to grow throughout their careers in HSEQ.
