“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 is joined by Trudy Clements CFIOSH, Chair of the IOSH Staffordshire Community and
Emerging Talent Safety, Risk and Operation Lead at Rolls-Royce, to reflect on her 30-year career in HSE and the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership, mentoring and professional development.
From Mentorship to Leadership
Trudy reflects on how her career began in local authority environmental health, where an early mentor recognised her potential and encouraged her into the profession. From those early beginnings through to leadership roles in industry, mentoring and supporting others has remained a central theme throughout her career.
A key focus of the conversation is the importance of staying true to yourself, continuing to learn and building strong relationships across the profession. Trudy also shares her perspective on the changing landscape for women in HSEQ, the growing importance of work-life balance, and why human connection and conversation remain at the heart of effective health and safety practice.
Highlights from their conversation include:
- How mentorship and early support helped shape her HSE career
- The importance of personality, character and attitude when hiring
- Why networking and communication are essential in an evolving profession
- The changing expectations around work-life balance and wellbeing
- The opportunities and challenges AI presents for the future of HSEQ
- Encouraging the next generation of safety professionals through apprenticeships and mentoring
As Trudy explains:
“You can learn most things, but personality and character is something you can’t create.”
She also shares her advice for those entering the profession:
“Don’t be afraid to challenge and ask questions. You can’t know everything.”
And on the role of HSEQ professionals:
“We’re not the police. We save lives. There is nothing you cannot do because of health and safety, you just have to do it safely.”
Trudy also reflects on her long-standing relationship with Shirley Parsons, having worked together since the early days of the business more than 20 years ago – a partnership built on shared values, trust and friendship.
We’d like to thank Trudy for sharing her experience and insights. Her reflections highlight the importance of authenticity, mentorship and human connection in building safer, healthier and more supportive workplaces.
Other episodes in the series:
