The SHP Awards celebrate the achievements of the brightest and most passionate health & safety professionals. From young, up-and-coming rising stars and leaders of tomorrow, to our most seasoned, influential ambassadors, and trailblazers making a positive impact in safety, health and wellbeing.
The awards take place annually and are free to enter, with nominations reviewed by an independent panel of judges.
Trailblazer and Most Influential winners and finalists will be announced on SHP at the end of November.
As an exciting new addition, SHP will announce the winner of the Rising Star award live at our partner show for leaders of people and property – Anticipate London (2-4 December). Previous winners across all categories will also be speaking at the show, to view the full agenda, click here.
Launched by SHP in 2017, the Most Influential award continues to be one of the highest accolades and most coveted award in the profession today.
Recognising the people who have the biggest, positive impact on health and safety in the UK, making a difference not just to their own organisation but to the wider profession or society. Each year SHP publishes an unranked list of the most influential individuals, as well as one stand-out winner. The final say is determined by the independent judging panel and public vote.
2023 – Steven Harris, Managing Director, Integrity HSE: “Steve is a values-driven force of nature in the world of health and safety and I am sure he does lots more that I am not aware of…but I can assure you that he deserves this nomination and every piece of recognition that comes with it.” The words to support Harris’ original nomination recognise a professional who heavily supports and contributes to the wider sector but is happy to stay below than radar rather than shout about his (many) achievements.
See the full list of 2023’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here.
Previous Most Influential winners:
2022 – Alan Trueman, Head of SHE at CityFibre: Alan was recognised for the huge impact he made on the telecoms sector. It’s a vertical that until recently had no safety standards, however through the SHIFT working group, which Alan set-up and has facilitated, the sector now has a recognised set of standards. The working group fosters collaboration among its members who share best practice and improve telecom’s safety credentials. See the full list of 2022’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here.
2021 – Dr Maevis Nye, Campaigner for asbestos awareness and removal: Dr Mavis Nye sadly passed away in November 2023. She lived with Mesothelioma and since her diagnosis spent her life campaigning for asbestos awareness and removal. Maevis was described as a ‘tour de force, and an absolute dynamo for Asbestos Awareness’. Asbestos is one of the largest causes of occupational death in the UK and from a standing start, with no formal training in the field, she became a touchstone for the victims across the globe. See the full list of 2021’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here.
2020 – Hilda Palmer, Campaigner and Facilitator, Families Against Corporate Killers: Hilda helps families get justice and answers after their loved ones are killed at work. She is a tireless campaigner, highlighting the failures of employers, ineffective enforcement, continuing excessive deregulation, toxic workplaces, workplace stress and many other health and safety issues that are causing injury, ill-health and deaths at work. Hilda has played a key role in supporting trade unions to challenge government and regulators. See the full list of 2020’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here.
2019 – Karl Simons, Chief Health, Safety & Security Officer, Thames Water: Readers voted Karl Simons Most Influential for many reasons, but most of all for: his work to challenge stigma around mental ill health; embracing technology innovation; positively influencing and supporting others; and shaping the future of the profession. Voters described Karl as ‘an inspiration’. See the full list of 2019’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here
2018 – Louise Taggart, Founder, Michael’s Story: Louise won the award for tirelessly sharing the story of her younger brother, and his preventable fatality at work, in order to prevent more lives being lost. Voters described the huge impact she had on them, making them feel empowered and inspired. One voter said: “She has now proactively saved hundreds of lives since her brother’s passing – that is a certainty.” See the full list of 2018’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here
2017 – John Green, Director of HSE, Laing O’Rourke: Voters made John Green their winner for his proactively promoting his ‘Safety Differently’ message, questioning a climate of paperwork, double-checking everything and ‘compliance’ that has little real impact. John was described as a tireless campaigner for improving the practice and reputation of health and safety in the UK. See the full list of 2017’s Most Influential individuals in health & safety here
Launched by SHP in 2015, and aimed at those under the age of 30, Rising Stars commends young health & safety professionals showing drive and determination in the early stages of their careers.
Samantha Cartwright, 2023’s Rising Star winner discussed the opportunities for those in early health and safety careers saying: “I would love to see more younger people not being afraid to step out and go against the norm, inciting change”.
2023 Rising Stars
Previous Rising Star winners:
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Launched in 2020, the SHP Trailblazer in health and safety aims to celebrate innovation; a professional who has found a solution, having identified an issue or problem within their workplace. Previous winners have demonstrated an ability to see an idea from conception to implementation and able to take communicate its benefits to stakeholders and create buy-in.
2023 Trailblazers
Previous winners:
2022
2021
2020
Meet the 2024 judges
The judges for 2024 are made up of a mix of people from multiple sectors and including previous SHP Award winners, SHP editors and members of our editorial board.
