The HSE People Panel is a group of professionals with different specialisms ranging from construction and rail safety to safety in the public sector and ergonomics. Tom Baines was born and raised in Sunderland one of the largest ship building cities in the world up until the 1980’s. Tom relocated to London and like most professionals of our generation fell into the Health and Safety career path.
Rolling forward to today he has spent 27 years doing one of the most challenging but rewarding jobs in the world across multiple sectors and countries and truly making a difference. The last 13 years he has spent working for multinational companies at executive level in the Middle East and globally developing strategies, overseeing multibillion pound project portfolios and also the privilege of providing advisory support and solutions to government entities.
More recently Tom returned back to the UK firstly to be with his wife and two teenagers and to focus on an ambition of setting up his own company www.HSEQOneStop.com.
Which is your favourite season and why?
After spending so many years in the Middle East and living with searing heat in summer and UK type summer conditions in winter I had to think about that one a little. I have been back in the UK just over a year and witnessed snow for the first time in 14 years. So it has to be winter. 😊
What is the best part of your job?
Knowing we do prevent harm but thankfully we can never fully quantify it.
If you could live anywhere where would that be?
Jordan. Spent Christmas there one year with wonderful mountain walks, drives, spectacular scenery, unbelievable history, culture, humble people, food, wine and local beer.
How has the industry changed since you started in it?
Oh my I have to say an absolute yes on this subject. I think in my early years it was more lip service than compliance and I have seen that transform over the last 27 years. There is still more to do, however significant progress in my lifetime.
What is your greatest career strength?
People person thru and thru.
What is your biggest fear?
Digital being seen as a replacement for knowledge, experience, dynamics and the human touch
Thanks Tom, it’s great to find out more about you. Want to know more or to ask Tom a question? Get in touch info@hsepeople.com
