In a special edition of Shirley Talks With, the roles are reversed as Carole Bardell-Wise interviews Shirley Parsons about her career, the challenges of building a business and why people have always been at the heart of it.
Having known each other for 25 years, Shirley Parsons and Carole Bardell-Wise, SHEQ Director at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, share a longstanding connection through the health, safety and environmental profession.
As Shirley Parsons celebrates its 21st anniversary, their conversation provides an opportunity to look back at the experiences, decisions and relationships that have shaped Shirley’s career, from her early days in environmental consultancy to building an international HSEQ recruitment and consultancy business.
Along the way, Shirley shares some memorable stories, personal challenges and reflections on the people who have helped shape her journey.
Watch their full conversation here:
The story behind Shirley Parsons.
One of the strongest themes throughout Shirley and Carole’s conversation is the importance of relationships.
Shirley recalls the early days of recruitment, when building a business meant working with little more than a notepad, a pen and a landline telephone. Without the technology available today, success depended on making connections, meeting people and taking the time to understand them.
“I’ve always had a curiosity, I think, about people.”
It’s an approach that has remained central to Shirley Parsons. Carole reflects on Shirley’s humility and the emphasis she places on the people around her, from colleagues who have been with the business for much of its 21-year history to those who have helped establish operations internationally.
For Shirley, creating an environment where people feel valued has always been important.
“I always said treat people how you want to be treated yourself.”
And while technology and AI continue to transform recruitment, she believes there is something they cannot replace: the value of meeting someone, having a conversation and building a genuine relationship.
Determination, challenges and changing attitudes.
Shirley and Carole also reflect on how much the profession has changed over the years, particularly for women working in environmental, health and safety roles.
Growing up in Yorkshire, surrounded by strong female role models, Shirley developed the confidence and determination that would help her throughout her career.
In the early days, she was often one of only one or two women attending industry meetings. Rather than allowing that to hold her back, she found ways to turn it into an advantage.
The conversation includes some memorable examples of the attitudes she encountered, from assumptions about women working on construction sites to an unexpected dress code for a golf club interview.
Carole also recalls their connection through Nottingham Trent University, where she was studying when they first met. They discuss Shirley’s longstanding commitment to supporting people entering the profession, including her efforts to challenge the university’s decision to discontinue its health, safety and environmental degree course.
These stories offer an insight into Shirley’s character and the determination that has helped her navigate challenges, support others and build a successful business.
21 Years on: Looking ahead and giving back.
As the conversation turns towards the future, Shirley reflects on the growth of the business, its international expansion and the development of consultancy services alongside recruitment.
Yet despite the changes in technology, markets and ways of working, her priorities remain consistent.
“Really it’s all about the people and it’s looking after people. And that’s the way forward.”
The company’s 21st anniversary has also provided an opportunity to give something back.
To mark the milestone, Shirley Parsons has set a fundraising target of £21,000 for Leukaemia UK, supporting the charity’s work and a colleague whose family has been affected by leukaemia.
Shirley discusses the support received from colleagues, clients and friends, including the London-to-Paris charity cycle ride, and the importance of bringing people together for a cause that means so much to the team.
It’s a fitting way to celebrate 21 years of a business built on relationships, loyalty and supporting others.
And after everything she’s experienced, Shirley’s enthusiasm for her work remains clear.
“I love my job.”
A huge thank you to Carole Bardell-Wise for taking on the interviewer’s role and helping us share Shirley’s story in this special edition of Shirley Talks With.
Support our 21st anniversary fundraising campaign: Find out more about our fundraising for Leukaemia UK and how you can help us reach our £21,000 target here.
Other episodes in the series:
