New membership director at IOSH

IOSH has appointed Simon Bowen as executive director of membership.

Currently director of membership support and services at the British Psychological Society (BPS), in Leicester, Simon will succeed Hazel Harvey in the role in March next year.

Simon said: “I am delighted to be joining IOSH and I look forward to working with the team. Safeguarding the health and safety of people in the workplace is an incredibly important aim and an exciting challenge.”

IOSH announced earlier this year that Hazel would step down after nearly 20 years at the Institution. During this period, IOSH grew to become the world’s largest professional organisation in health and safety, with a current membership of nearly 42,000.

Hazel said: “I am handing over the baton at a time when the potential of IOSH is at its greatest, with our plans to develop our services for members and to expand overseas. It has been a pleasure to work at this great membership organisation and I wish Simon and the excellent team he will inherit at IOSH all the very best for the future.”

Praising Hazel for her achievements, IOSH chief executive Rob Strange OBE said: “Her knowledge and leadership of the educational standards required for health and safety professionals to prove their competence and levels of qualification – not only in the UK but also throughout Europe and internationally – have put her at the forefront of the profession and she is recognised worldwide as “the expert” on these matters.

“This is a great achievement and also helps put IOSH’s name and reputation at the very front of people’s minds.”
The announcement comes just a few days after the Institution announced the appointment of Jan Chmiel as Rob’s successor as CEO. Jan will become chief executive of IOSH in April next year.