Shirley Parsons helped Brentford FC address a critical gap in their Health & Safety provision by placing their first dedicated Health & Safety Manager.
Shirley Parsons helped Brentford FC address a critical gap in their Health & Safety provision by placing their first dedicated Health & Safety Manager.
Brentford FC, a Premier League football club, faced a significant gap in their Health & Safety provision. With no dedicated team in place, the responsibility for compliance, safeguarding, and risk management fell under other departments. Their Head of Safeguarding highlighted that this left them vulnerable, particularly with increased construction work at their training ground and a need for stronger fire safety oversight.
The club needed a Health & Safety Manager who could not only build a function from scratch but also set the foundations for future hires, including an Advisor. Without the right expertise, Brentford risked falling short of their duty of care to staff, players, and supporters, as well as missing opportunities to enhance operational resilience.
Our relationship with Brentford FC stemmed from strong brand advocacy within the football industry. Following successful placements at Arsenal and Aston Villa, Brentford were introduced to us by a trusted recommendation. The club were already aware of our work; having seen the impact we had delivered elsewhere in the sector.
We began with a detailed conversation to understand Brentford’s needs and quickly recognised this was a permanent requirement that would shape the club’s wider Health & Safety structure. We presented our proven recruitment model, drawing on success with other clubs, and emphasised the value of our Warranty and MAPP frameworks to ensure both quality and longevity.
Recognising Brentford’s concerns around technical expertise, we brought in our Managing Careers Consultant Phil Muston to add specialist insight. This not only supported the recruitment process but also gave Brentford the confidence that technical capability would be assessed robustly. As part of our service, Phil joined the club’s interview panel alongside senior leaders to provide an expert lens during final stage assessments.
We guided the club through a comprehensive four-stage interview process, presenting three strong candidates, each with distinct strengths. Our advice throughout negotiations ensured Brentford felt confident in their final decision, even securing flexibility to offer at the top end of their salary range to secure their preferred candidate.
We successfully placed Brentford FC’s first dedicated Health & Safety Manager, a crucial appointment that established the foundations of a new Health & Safety function at the club.
This appointment gave Brentford the specialist expertise they previously lacked, providing confidence in compliance, safeguarding, and operational resilience. It also sets the stage for future growth, with plans already in place to expand the team further.
“I’ve been lucky to have Nathan from Shirley Parsons support my last two job searches, landing two exciting H&S Lead roles. His professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine support made all the difference. I highly recommend Nathan and the team based on my great experiences with them.”
John Ing, Health and Safety Lead, Brentford Football Club
For Shirley Parsons, this project is a strong example of our ‘different and better’ approach, combining proven recruitment expertise with technical Health & Safety knowledge to add unique value. Brentford FC now joins our growing list of Premier League clients who trust us to deliver the very best Health & Safety leaders.
To find out more about how we support football clubs with their health and safety requirements, click here. Or, to get in touch with our team, fill out your details.
