“There’s still so much important work to be done to protect the workforce and beyond but, it’s also vital to recognise how far we’ve come.”
With over 20 years of experience in the EHS industry, Liam Tiddy has witnessed first-hand the sector’s evolution, from compliance-led beginnings to today’s dynamic focus on culture, leadership, and influence. His reflection perfectly captures the spirit of this year’s EHS Congress London 2025: a celebration of progress, collaboration, and the continued drive for improvement.
The event once again proved to be one of the industry’s most dynamic gatherings, uniting global leaders, innovators, and changemakers to explore the future of Environmental, Health, and Safety leadership. From thought-provoking discussions on culture and engagement to cutting-edge perspectives on global safety challenges, it offered a rich exchange of ideas and inspiration.
Shirley Parsons was proud to attend as a media partner, with Liam Tiddy, Head of Executive Search, and Nick Farkas, Global Director of Consultancy & Advisory Services, representing the company.
Here, Liam shares his key takeaways, from standout sessions to emerging trends and the evolving priorities shaping EHS leadership today.
What were your overall impressions of this year’s EHS Congress in London?
“Firstly, a great venue, perfectly located. A fabulous turnout of EHS leaders, not just from the UK but from all corners of the world. The event was jam-packed with a fantastic line-up of speakers who weren’t afraid to challenge the room and speak their minds. It created a genuinely engaging and thought-provoking atmosphere throughout.”
Which sessions or speakers stood out to you?
“That’s a tough question, as every speaker added real value. Personally, I’m always drawn to the more holistic and transferable themes. There were several fascinating conversations around psychological safety, which really stood out. And as a bit of a geopolitics nerd, Gareth Evans’ session on ‘Safety Without Borders’ really resonated, especially as I’ve been involved in several global appointments recently.”
What key trends and challenges in EHS leadership and culture did you notice at the event?
“One of the ongoing challenges that came through strongly was around engagement and relevance - how to effectively influence not only at senior levels but also across operational teams and with external stakeholders. These challenges will continue to ebb and flow, and vary across different businesses, but it was clear that finding ways to connect and engage meaningfully remains a core focus for many EHS leaders.”
How valuable was the networking and cross-industry learning for you and Shirley Parsons?
“The networking element is, unsurprisingly, key for me. It’s always great to catch up with contacts, both new and familiar. Equally important, though, is the opportunity to understand delegates on a deeper level, hearing their perspectives, successes, and challenges in a relaxed and open environment is hugely valuable to my work and to Shirley Parsons as a whole.”
What’s your biggest takeaway, and how does it reflect Shirley Parsons’ approach to EHS talent and leadership?
“There’s still so much important work to be done to protect the workforce and beyond but, it’s also vital to recognise how far we’ve come. Having worked in the industry for 20 years, it’s easy to focus on what’s not yet working (which is important), but we should also celebrate the tremendous progress made in protecting people over the past two decades. That balance - between striving for improvement and recognising achievement, perfectly reflects the ethos of Shirley Parsons and our approach to EHS talent and leadership.”
Continuing the conversation on leadership.
The Congress highlighted just how interconnected leadership, culture, and performance have become in shaping the future of EHS. Meaningful engagement, adaptability, and a people-first mindset are no longer optional – they are essential to driving lasting progress.
Reflecting this focus, Nick also took part in a distinguished panel debate during the Congress titled “Leadership: The Make-or-Break Factor in Safety Performance.” The discussion explored how leadership expectations, styles, and priorities are evolving in today’s fast-changing world of work.
Get in touch.
If you’d like to discuss emerging EHS leadership trends, talent strategies, or how to strengthen your organisation’s safety culture, connect directly with Liam at liam.tiddy@shirleyparsons.com.
