Meet the Chair of IIRSM UAE Branch

Tell us about your current role...

As Regional HSSE Director for the EMEA region, I provide strategic leadership and governance across health, safety, security and environmental functions covering approximately 75 per cent of the organisation’s global footprint. I am responsible for driving a consistent, high-performing HSSE culture by embedding best practices and aligning with industry standards, while ensuring robust risk management, compliance and assurance frameworks are in place. The role includes leading independent assurance activities, supporting operational teams through mentoring and capability development and fostering innovation to continuously enhance HSSE performance. I work closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders to ensure organisational HSSE values and strategic objectives are effectively integrated into business operations, delivering safe, sustainable and resilient outcomes across the region.

What does becoming Chair of the UAE Branch mean to you and what are you looking to do with the branch?

I have been an IIRSM member since June 2007, and becoming Chair of the IIRSM UAE Branch is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the HSE community that has supported my professional journey. It provides a strong platform to drive collaboration, enable knowledge sharing across industries and create valuable networking opportunities that allow practitioners to learn from diverse experiences beyond their own sectors. In the UAE context, IIRSM membership brings significant value by offering internationally recognised professional credibility, access to global best practices and alignment with evolving regulatory and industry expectations within a rapidly developing market.

My focus will be on enhancing member engagement, promoting the practical exchange of insights and strengthening the branch as a hub for professional excellence. I am also committed to championing continuous professional development, helping HSE professionals understand its importance not just for compliance, but for building capability, leadership impact and long-term career growth, while encouraging innovation and the adoption of industry-leading standards across the region. In parallel, this role aligns closely with my organisation’s sustainability objectives, supporting the advancement of responsible practices, long-term value creation and a strong safety culture across the communities we serve.

Have you been involved with IIRSM Branches to date?

I have been engaged with the IIRSM UAE Branch through a range of initiatives, including hosting a branch meeting at our office, attending the IIRSM 50th anniversary workshop in January, and maintaining an offer to provide our facilities for future branch events. In addition, I am part of the IIRSM Fellowship Assessment Panel, contributing to the recognition and advancement of professional excellence within the HSE community.

How did you get into risk and safety?

I bring more than 29 years of experience across the EMEA and APAC regions, supported by strong academic and professional credentials, including an MSc with Distinction in Occupational Health and Safety, the NEBOSH National Diploma and the Australian BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety. I am a CRSP (Canada), a Chartered Member of IOSH and a Fellow of IIRSM.

I was first introduced to the field by my brother, which provided me with early exposure to health and safety. What began as curiosity quickly developed into a genuine interest as I started working in operational environments and witnessed firsthand the real impact that safety has on people, performance and operations. My journey in risk and safety has since been shaped by extensive experience across the oil and gas, petrochemical, power, infrastructure and construction sectors. This exposure has enabled me to develop a deep appreciation of the critical role HSSE plays in delivering safe, reliable and sustainable operations.

With a strong technical foundation and progressive leadership experience, I have built expertise in implementing international standards, developing robust HSSE management systems and leading complex incident investigations using structured root cause methodologies.

Working across diverse, multinational environments has strengthened my ability to influence stakeholders, build and lead high-performing teams and drive a positive and resilient safety culture. This progression has led to my current role as Regional HSSE Director, where I focus on embedding HSSE as a core business value, advancing risk management practices, championing innovation and enabling organisational learning across the region.

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