What makes an HSE event truly valuable? For Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at L’Oréal, it comes down to one thing: practical insight that can be applied in the real world.
This article draws on his views to explore why the HSE Excellence Europe Forum remains a standout event for safety leaders across Europe.
Where practical safety leadership comes to life.
For health and safety leaders looking to drive meaningful change inside their organisations, the HSE Excellence Europe Forum continues to stand out as one of Europe’s most influential gatherings.
Now in its 19th year, the forum brings together senior practitioners, innovators, and decision-makers to explore the strategies, insights, and real-world solutions shaping the future of HSE.
Taking place on 15–16 April in Amsterdam, this year’s event will feature over 30 speakers, multiple thematic tracks, and more than 150 senior professionals – creating a space where ideas don’t just get shared but put into practice.
A forum built on real-world experience.
What sets HSE Excellence Europe apart is its practical focus.
Rather than theory-led presentations, the event is driven by professionals actively delivering change within their organisations. sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what others can learn. As Malcolm explains:
“It’s one of my favourite events in Europe. One of the reasons is the networking, it’s absolutely fantastic. There’s a range of people that are very pragmatic, people who are actually getting stuff done on the shop floor where it really matters in health and safety. And then you’ve got those same people presenting, so you’re learning directly from real experience rather than theory. Every single year I come away with some golden nuggets that I then take back to L’Oréal.”
That connection between experience and insight is what makes the learning stick and what keeps leaders coming back year after year.
Where science meets practice.
At this year’s forum, Malcolm will co-host a workshop alongside Jean-Christophe Le Coze, exploring how safety operates within a complex global organisation like L’Oréal.
The session will examine how safety systems evolve in practice and where there may be opportunities to simplify and improve.
“We’re looking at why health and safety works in L’Oréal and how it links into safety science, but also from a sociological point of view - whether there’s something we’re missing. Whether we’ve got programmes that are doing the same thing in different ways, and whether there’s an opportunity to simplify. It’s not about pure theory, it’s about a working, living model that people can relate to and see reflected in their own journey. It really is where science meets practice.”
Rather than presenting a fixed model, the session is designed to help organisations reflect on how their own systems overlap, evolve, and influence outcomes.
Networking that drives real value.
Beyond the content, the HSE Excellence Europe Forum is known for the quality of its networking, bringing together professionals who are actively shaping safety within their organisations.
From structured sessions like the ‘Meet Your Peers’ reception to more informal conversations throughout the event, the forum creates space for open, practical discussion between peers facing similar challenges.
Join Shirley Parsons in Amsterdam.
Shirley Parsons will be represented at the forum by Global Head of Search Liam Tiddy and Search Director for Europe Ally Bliss. We are also proud to support the HSE Excellence Europe Forum as a media partner. If you’re planning to attend, you can learn more about the event and agenda here.
Or, to access exclusive attendee discounts and connect with our team, email:
- Liam Tiddy: liam.tiddy@shirleyparsons.com
- Ally Bliss: ally.bliss@shirleyparsons.com
A Must-Attend Event for HSE Leaders.
Whether you’re looking to benchmark your approach, gain fresh insight, or build valuable connections, the HSE Excellence Europe Forum offers a compelling combination of practical learning, strategic thinking, and peer collaboration.
