What do you do for your day job?
I am a specialist Regulatory / Health and Safety lawyer
What is a typical day’s work for you?
After surviving on approximately 4 hours sleep a night, I wake up at about 6.30am to get myself and my daughter ready for work/school. I’m out of the door at 8.30am to do the school drop off and then catch the train to work (Liverpool Street). I’ll either be at court, meeting clients for strategy meetings, meeting potential new clients to discuss business development opportunities or at my desk reviewing documents or drafting a piece of advice for a client. I tend to leave work at around 6.30pm to pick up my daughter from the childminder, then family time at home till about 10pm. The laptop usually comes out then and I continue working until I fall asleep at around 1-2am. After my 4 hours sleep, the cycle repeats again!!
How did you become a member of the London Health & Safety Group Committee?
I was asked to give a legal update presentation to the group after I attended my first meeting back in 2013. I was drawn to the way the meetings were organised (topic content, wide range of sector representatives in attendance, solid committee team) and I wanted to be a part of the committee, not just a presenter.
What benefits do you feel that the Group bring for you?
I love being part of the committee team because it allows me to have a hand in influencing what is discussed amongst the group, and therefore amongst those in the H&S industry. We get to highlight the key issues that should be important for those in the health and safety industry. As a lawyer, I wanted the ability to provide all Group members with immediate access to a specialist H&S lawyer, particularly when they want to ask a quick question. I also like the fact that I can get together with fellow H&S professionals to discuss issues that are important to us.
What do you find the most interesting part of your role within the Group?
Being the “legal” mouthpiece for the Group – which has its good and bad points!
What presents the most challenges?
Attending monthly meetings – they are held on a Monday, which is usually my non-working day and the meetings clash with my childcare responsibilities or with work commitments!
What’s your Health and Safety ‘soap-box’ subject?
I’m a self confessed HSE “basher”, which is all done in jest really! I tend to get on my soap box about the HSE’s approach to prosecutions / fees for intervention. On a positive note, I like to find ways to help people avoid or limit liability in respect of health and safety matters.
What is your one piece of advice for a practising Safety Professional?
Be aware of your own individual health and safety duties, as well as the corporate responsibilities. There is an upward trend towards the prosecution of individuals as opposed to the prosecution of a company in isolation.
One piece of advice for someone thinking of becoming a Health and Safety Professional?
Do it! It’s a great area to work in.
Finally tell us something personal about you that’s not related at all to Health & Safety …
I am a qualified Zumba instructor and I can crack most of the bones in my body – the two are not related!
