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Step Change in Safety Announces Appointment of Co-Chairs to Senior Leadership Team

Step Change in Safety Announces Appointment of Co-Chairs to Senior Leadership Team

 

Step Change in Safety formally announces today (Thursday 5th January 2023) the appointment of two senior industry figures as co-chairs to its senior leadership team. The team welcome two new co-chairs, including its first female co-chair Gillian Urquhart, Regional HSE & Carbon Manager of bp North Sea, who takes up the role of Operator Co-Chair, with Derek Mitchell - Vice President of Brownfield Services at Global E&C taking up the Contractor Co-Chair position. Gillian and Derek bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the leadership team, which is responsible for planning and monitoring the activities of the safety organisation.

As Regional HSE & Carbon Manager for bp North Sea Gillian is part of the business leadership team accountable for the delivery of HSE& carbon activities across the business, supporting safe, compliant, and reliable operations.  Prior to joining bp, Gillian was head of safety and sustainability for Equinor in the UK working to establish Equinor’s first UK operatorship and overseeing Equinor UK’s low-carbon and renewable activities.

Gillian spent 11 years working for the UK regulator (HSE) in a variety of roles including front-line inspector for a wide range of high-hazard industries including construction, nuclear and oil and gas.  Working across these industries Gillian gained extensive knowledge and insight of safety management practices and experienced first-hand the impact incidents can have on people and their families. This has created a real drive and passion to improve and sustain high standards of safety.

Derek Mitchell, Vice President of Brownfield Services at Global E&C, has over 35 years of experience in the energy industry, spanning both the operator and contractor communities, across both projects and asset integrity.

Talking of his appointment Mr Mitchell says, “Having been a member of Step Change in Safety for several years I was delighted to be asked to join the Senior Leadership team as co-chair. I’m excited to be joining Step Change in Safety following the organisation’s 25th anniversary year. The vast amount of resources that our members have at their disposal are outstanding and I look forward to helping Steve and the team grow the membership and improve safety through engagement, leadership, and collaboration.

As part of my role at Global E&C, I support our clients with their digital aspirations, as well as their decarbonisation and energy transition journey, and look forward to supporting Step Change in Safety and our members as our industry continues to evolve in these areas.”

Commenting on the new appointments to the senior leadership team, Steve Rae, Executive Director of Step Change in Safety says, “I've known both Gillian and Derek for several years and they have always been very committed, passionate and vocal regarding safety in the industry. They bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge to their respective roles within the organisation.  I am grateful to them both for their selfless commitment and look forward to working with them.”

Steve concludes, “Step Change in Safety’s leadership team is responsible for planning and monitoring the organisation’s activities and listening to the opinions and concerns of the workforce. This process helps to shape the future direction of the organisation to ensure it is always well placed to lead the way in improving offshore safety.”

The leadership team includes senior leaders and officials from member companies, industry-related trade associations, trade unions, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), along with the onshore and offshore workforce representatives.

For further information on Step Change in Safety please visit: https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE

Published: 05-01-2023

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