Being a Health and Safety Director at AtkinsRéalis
We conducted a short interview with Mark Warrington, Regional Health and Safety Director at AtkinsRéalis .
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have recently rejoined AtkinsRéalis after leaving in 2019. I've been in the region for nearly 18 years with my wife and 2 children. I have a dog and enjoy walking and keeping fit.
Tell us about your career journey.
I started out in health and safety in 1995, working for a consultancy in the UK. I'd previously worked in construction, so I understood the industry. I'm also very people focused, so when the opportunity came up to move into a full-time health and safety role, I didn't give it a second thought. I spent about 10 years working in the UK in HSE, where my last project was Wembley Stadium.
What is the role of an HSE director?
The HSE director maintains oversight of the HSE program, ensuring that the necessary systems and procedures are in place to safeguard people and the business. The role of the HSE Director is strategic, looking ahead and planning for improvement. The principles of HSE management are aligned with the way that quality is managed, so the HSE director plans, gets the approval of the business, and then supports implementation through the business leadership. There are lots of other aspects to the role, but in summary, it is all about planning, managing risk, driving improvement, and keeping everyone safe. One of the reasons I rejoined the company is the fact that I know we are a people-focused business and we take HSE seriously.
What is a typical day like for a HSE director?
There is no such thing as a typical day in my opinion. Maybe that's why I like the role so much. The work is very varied and can involve traveling throughout the region. I spend quite a bit of time in the office and the rest of the time in other regional offices and supporting project teams. I like how flexible my job is, as well as how busy it is all the time.
What's the best thing about being a HSE director?
For me, it's the people and the engagement I have with so many different people across the business. I'm also driven to make a difference, and I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I've been involved in improving working conditions and people's general wellbeing.
What has been the most difficult aspect of your career?
Turning words into action We often use the phrase "walk the talk," and I guess this sums it up. Most companies will say that HSE is important, but their actions don't support this. Another challenge is the widespread use of lagging indicators within industry to measure HSE performance. All too often, companies measure their safety performance on incident rates. The absence of incidents does not necessarily mean you are doing a good job at HSE. At AtkinsRéalis , we use a wide selection of leading HSE indicators, which allows us to promote all the good things that are being done across the business to improve HSE.
What advice could you give to other senior leaders?
not to underestimate the effect that you have on people. Staff will generally look up to their manager and aspire to be more like them. Of course, setting a good example is important, but a short conversation on HSE asking about HSE challenges and supporting staff on an HSE issue sends a powerful message. I'd encourage all our leaders to talk more about HSE and ask questions. be inquisitive and show that they care. We're all hoping to get home safely.
I've been in full-time HSE for nearly 30 years now, and when I started, I asked an experienced colleague for some advice. He replied, "Remember safety is a journey, not a destination." At the time, I understood what they meant but didn't get it. Today, it's much clearer that we are all on a journey, and only by working together can we keep improving health and safety and engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/12/2025
Summary
Engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but this dynamic is steadily changing. Women are breaking barriers and excelling in STEM careers, bringing diverse perspectives and ski

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/11/2025
Summary
Meet Benisa, a resilient and dedicated professional at AtkinsRéalis. Her career journey showcases growth and the impact of an inclusive work culture. Overcoming early challenges and embracing div

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/11/2025
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we’re incredibly proud to be part of the UK’s journey towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The transformation required is massive, touching every corner of our economy—fr

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/11/2025
Summary
The UK’s energy landscape is undergoing a major transformation as the country moves toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system. With a strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions, th

Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/11/2025
Summary
NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s most transformative project, is a city designed for the future. A key component of the nation's Vision 2030 initiative, the eco-friendly mega-city is home to the most forward-t

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/04/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Ahmad, the regional leader of AtkinsRéalis' Power New Build team here in the Northwest of England. Why did I join AtkinsRéalis? I wanted to be part of a world-class engineering services p

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Sophie, a Building Surveyor at AtkinsRéalis, tells all about life in Bristol You’ve probably already seen the photos of hot air balloons drifting over Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Clifton Suspensi

Preview
AustraliaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
The rail sector is at the heart of Australia’s infrastructure revolution, spanning more than 36,064km of track and powering economic growth, innovation, and connectivity. Once reliant on imported as

Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Do you want to fuel your career with purpose and watch your impact grow? Would you like to make an impact and join the global net zero revolution? Do you have what it takes to lead the nuclear r

by
Shailaja Mantha

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
The future of electrical engineering is bright, and its influence on industries like automotive, energy, and wearable technology is growing exponentially. At AtkinsRéalis, electrical engineers are a

Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
Mechanical engineering is recognized as one of the most diverse and impactful fields, constantly shaping innovations across industries. At AtkinsRéalis, professionals like Sean, a BIM (Building

Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
Our Water, Environment, and Project Delivery teams—along with Design & Advanced Technology and Project and Programme Services—delivered the career-defining Havant Thicket Reservoir pro

by
Shailaja Mantha
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Mechanical engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engi
Reference
R-127168
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Mechanical engineering
Market
Clean power
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for a MEP Mechanical Engineer - Substation Power in Abu Dhabi (Offshore project), UAE.About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to
Reference
R-127307
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Quantity surveying
Market
Clean power
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for an Intermediate Quantity Surveyor, in Dubai, UAE.About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-cl
Reference
R-127277
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Abu Dhabi
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Category
Permanent
Location
Abu Dhabi
Description
AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading design, engineering and project management organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, wi
Reference
R-127061
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Consultant
Market
Consulting & advisory
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
About UsCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a b
Reference
R-127054
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Consultant
Market
Consulting & advisory
Category
Permanent
Location
Riyadh
Description
About UsCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a b
Reference
R-127053
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Bangalore
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Consultant
Category
Permanent
Location
Bangalore
Riyadh
Description
We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world class Engineering Services and Nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our i
Reference
R-126751
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Estimation Manager, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.About AtkinsRéalis:Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engi
Reference
R-126680
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is currently looking for Structural Engineer.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering s
Reference
R-126348
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Abu Dhabi
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Abu Dhabi
Description
AtkinsRéalis is currently looking for Structural Engineer.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering s
Reference
R-126345
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more