From India to South Korea: building a career in HSE on one of Asia’s biggest pet food expansions

When Ashish Salvi joined AtkinsRéalis in 2017, he didn’t expect his career to take him from India to South Korea.

Eight years on, he’s based in Gimje City, leading Health, Safety and Environment for a major project, a construction management mandate for one of the world’s most recognised pet food brands. Across his time at AtkinsRéalis, Ashish has moved through HSE roles on multiple projects, picked up additional responsibilities along the way, and stepped up into a more senior management position in 2025.

“AtkinsRéalis has talented engineers from a pool of resources globally,” he says. “I got the opportunity to serve and work with the company in South Korea after serving on a project in India. The community is benefited, the business demands are fulfilled, and the sustainability is maintained.”

What HSE management actually involves

Ask Ashish what his day-to-day looks like, and the answer is precise.

Health and hygiene monitoring across the project site. Hazard identification and risk assessment for construction activities. Safe work statement reviews. Accident investigations.

Environmental assessments of activities that could impact the surroundings. HSE audits and reports. Coordinating the HSE Joint Committee meetings.

It’s the kind of work that doesn’t usually make headlines, but on a major construction expansion, it’s the difference between a project that runs safely and one that doesn’t.

What makes Ashish’s approach distinctive is how he’s chosen to operate. Rather than staying narrowly within his HSE remit, he’s taken on additional responsibility for equipment installation and discipline coordination.

“While dealing with the issues, I discuss with the discipline leads about the root causes and come up with alternatives and options to mitigate them,” he says. “This approach gave me the opportunity to learn more by having additional responsibility.”

It’s a small detail, but it tells you something about how careers grow here.

What working at AtkinsRéalis is like

Ashish is direct about what he values in the way the team operates.

“Respect everyone, respect values. Listen carefully to the concerns raised. Collaborate with everyone involved and affected by the work. Communicate ideas and principles down the line. Address ssues in a simple way so that everyone knows their responsibility and accountability.”

And on success: “Share the success among everyone involved and celebrate jointly to motivate the whole team.”

It’s a straightforward philosophy, and on a multi-discipline project spanning engineering, construction, environmental management and client coordination, it’s the kind of leadership that holds things together.

Working with a global client

The client is a recognisable name worldwide, and the project is a significant investment in their South Korean operations. For Ashish, working with the client directly has been one of the rewards.

“My dedication towards work has been appreciated by the client for the performance in managing Health, Safety and Environment aspects for the project.”

It’s also a reminder that AtkinsRéalis’ construction management work spans well beyond infrastructure - into manufacturing, life sciences, and high-tech facilities for clients whose names are familiar to anyone walking down a supermarket aisle.

Looking ahead

Asked what excites him about the future, Ashish is thinking about breadth.

“Considering the spectrum of business AtkinsRéalis is dealing with, I’m excited to learn more about health and safety management in other sections, like power projects and nuclear projects.”

It’s a useful signal of how careers move here: from one market into another, with HSE expertise transferring across sectors that on the surface look very different.

For anyone thinking about joining, Ashish’s invitation is direct.

“You are welcome here in developing a sustainable business organisation, to show your potential, dedication and energy. Sky is your limit, grab the opportunity and grow with the organisation.”

If you’re an HSE professional thinking about where your career could go next, particularly if international mobility is something you’d consider, Ashish’s path is one to look at. Explore our roles in South Korea here.