BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia strengthens safety culture as IIRSM Course Delivery Partner

Through the partnership, BAE Systems will deliver IIRSM’s Managing Risk – The Essentials course to its Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) representatives across the Kingdom, embedding practical, accessible risk management skills aligned to real operational challenges.

As an approved IIRSM Course Delivery Partner, BAE Systems is licensed to deliver the internationally recognised course in-house, using approved materials and suitably qualified trainers. Course delivery operates under IIRSM’s quality assurance framework, ensuring consistency, credibility and alignment with recognised global standards for risk and safety management.

“This partnership with IIRSM has come at exactly the right time for us,” said Mark Maguire-Ware, Head of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), BAE Systems Saudi Arabia. “It fits our operational reality and gives our SHE representatives practical risk management skills they can immediately apply in the workplace.”

Mark explained: “We’re an operational business providing manpower to our customers, so releasing people for a full week of external training can be very difficult. What appealed to us about the IIRSM course was its flexibility and how well it complements our existing Managing SHE programme.”

As an organisation delivering highly complex and safety‑critical aviation services, BAE Systems must ensure its people are equipped to manage risk effectively, without placing unnecessary strain on operational delivery.

Traditionally, progression routes for SHE representatives in Saudi Arabia relied heavily on e‑learning and externally delivered qualifications such as NEBOSH awards. While effective, these approaches often required employees to be released from frontline roles for several days.

By combining the one‑day Managing Risk – The Essentials course with BAE Systems’ existing two‑day Managing SHE programme, the business can deliver high‑quality training with minimal operational disruption, while still providing a clear development pathway for SHE representatives.

A key benefit of the partnership is the highly interactive nature of the training. “The course isn’t just about theory,” said Mark. “It’s about looking at real incidents, real workplaces and real risks. That interaction helps bring risk management to life and makes the learning far more meaningful for our teams.”

The programme encourages participants to apply risk management principles to real scenarios from their own workplace. Exercises include analysing real incidents, exploring investigation techniques, assessing stakeholder impacts and reviewing safety, environmental and operational considerations when introducing changes to the workplace. This practical approach helps bring risk management to life and ensures learning is directly relevant to day‑to‑day activities.

The course is delivered in English, the business language across BAE Systems’ businesses in Saudi Arabia, with trainers taking additional time to ensure understanding among participants for whom English is a second language. This inclusive approach supports engagement and knowledge retention across a diverse workforce.

BAE Systems Saudi Arabia will initially deliver the training to a pilot group of 15 SHE representatives at its operational area, north of Riyadh, with plans to roll the programme out more widely across other Kingdom-wide locations.

“Our aim is to build strong internal capability,” said Mark. “We have some excellent trainers in the business and by taking a train-the-trainer approach we can maintain quality, consistency and assurance as we expand delivery.”

Over time, the organisation aims to build further internal capability by identifying and developing high‑performing trainers within the business. This mirrors its established approach to first aid and mental health training. Quality assurance is a core element of the programme, with regular assessments of trainers and course delivery to ensure standards remain high and learning outcomes are met.

The partnership also aligns with BAE Systems’ wider focus on proactive safety management and the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs).

“Our leadership team is very focused on SIF prevention,” said Mark. By strengthening risk awareness at an operational level, the training supports early identification of weak signals, gaps in critical controls and potential SIF precursors.

For SHE representatives who demonstrate capability and commitment, the course supports progression towards further qualifications, helping to build a sustainable internal talent pipeline.

Sue Bull, IIRSM Professional Development Specialist, said: “This partnership will allow BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia to offer engaging and practical learning experiences to employees through a course designed using IIRSM’s extensive expertise and experience. Being a Course Delivery Partner allows BAE Systems to tailor the course to fit their individual circumstances and audience, and we look forward to hearing more about the impact the course will have.”

As the programme is rolled out and refined, both organisations see opportunities to evolve the content further, ensuring it continues to reflect emerging risks, operational learning and best practice in risk management.

Find out more about becoming a Course Delivery Partner