Philemon Olusegun graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2022. Passionate about delivering safe workplaces and projects, he is currently making waves in the construction industry as a Health and Safety Advisor for HOCHTIEF UK Construction Ltd. In this blog, he talks us through his career.

Course: MSc Health and Safety

Why did you choose to study at Leeds Beckett? 

In 2021, I vividly recall receiving MSc admission offers from twenty universities globally. Following extensive comparative analysis, Leeds Beckett University emerged as the overwhelming choice due to it’s reputation as a leading institution for health and safety, IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) accreditation after graduation at Level 5 and Level 7 awards, and the thriving student community.

The city's dynamic professional landscape provided several opportunities to network and learn from the best in the business. The modules on offer were precisely linked with my overall extensive expertise gained over a decade in the middle east, and I felt the knowledge gained after graduation would equip me with the tools I needed to make a substantial effect in the UK market and beyond.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you've been doing since you graduated?

Before embarking on my postgraduate studies at Leeds Beckett, I had been an IOSH chartered member for 3 years with over 15 years of vast HSE experience in Engineering, construction, oil & gas. I lived and worked in Qatar, where I was instrumental in the safe delivery of two FIFA 2022 World Cup stadium projects. 

Whilst in my first semester at Leeds Beckett University, I secured employment on a permanent contract with the largest UK civil service department - The Department for Work and Pensions as a Projects and Lifecycle Works Health and Safety Manager. I was responsible for the safe delivery of over 900 refurbishment projects in the department’s commercial estate portfolio.

Currently, I work as a Health and Safety Advisor for HOCHTIEF UK Construction Ltd on the Snowdonia/Eryri Visual Impact Provision (SVIP) project – a tunnelling project worth over 200 million pounds. My work is critical in ensuring that Health and Safety plans, policies, standard operating procedures and safe systems of work are not only implemented but lived and breathed by the delivery team. 

I provide Health and Safety advice to the Senior Leadership team and frontline supervision team, and coordinate with contractors. I also ensure that there is a positive health and safety culture on the project. Outside of work, on a pro bono basis, I coach potential BAME (highly under-represented demographic group) candidates intent on joining the United Kingdom Civil service with a high success rate.

What have been the highlights and challenges of your career so far?

One of the happiest milestones of my work was getting nominated for Africa's most prestigious HSE awards, AFRISAFE, by organisers HSENation, which spans across five regions. I was named one of the top five finalists for the “HSE Professional of the Year” category in 2023 out of over 250 entries. My recognition was highlighted in appreciation of my outstanding leadership and major contributions to Health, Safety and Environment in Africa, as well as my impactful work with the Department for Work and Pensions Estates directorate (DWP) in the United Kingdom. 

I was also celebrated on the DWP Intranet because of this award nomination and used the opportunity and exposure to explain what the Property, Construction and Compliance team (PCC) deliverables are to the DWP Estates directorate.

In terms of challenges, the transition from the public sector as a client to the private sector as a principal contractor was a significant shift. Each level presented its own set of obstacles, ranging from learning new protocols to developing my interpersonal skills with a wide array of stakeholders. Moving from Health and Safety compliance in the Middle East to new ways of working, Health and Safety ownership from the delivery team and forward-thinking collaboration amongst project stakeholders in the United Kingdom necessitated a total mental adjustment. Nonetheless, I embraced the learning curve, constantly updating my abilities and skillset to keep ahead in the ever-changing job market.

How has your experience studying at Leeds Beckett influenced you and your career?

The modules Occupational Health, Quantitative Risk Analysis, and Sensible Risk Management struck a deep chord with my expertise. The outputs provided a strong knowledge base and operational framework that helped me to drive innovative solutions in my roles at DWP and HOCHTIEF. With the acquired skills from classroom learning and research, I have actively collaborated with service providers on technology solutions to reduce proximity hazards focusing mainly on People, Vehicle and Plant Interface (PVPI) and occupational health risks.

Studying Health and Safety at postgraduate level at Leeds Beckett University not only enhanced my deep understanding of health and safety management principles but also gave me the confidence to put my knowledge into practice. 

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying this course?

Work hard and smart, but also enjoy the moments and memories with your cohorts and module leaders. Dive deep into the modules; they can be difficult to grasp at first however proper time management and project management skills can position you for success. Engage with the community, volunteer to learn transferrable skills outside the university classroom that will prepare you for the job market, take advantage of internships and networking events.

The health and safety profession is dynamic and vast, so stay curious and devoted to continual learning. Most importantly, time goes by very fast, decide if you want to practice as a HSE generalist or specialist, draw up that plan and execute whilst on campus. Also engage with past alumni aligned to your field or sector of interest to mentor you, and build your presence on professional networks like LinkedIn. Remember, you are a role model and ambassador of Leeds Beckett University.

What's next for you? 

The future is bright and full of intriguing challenges! One I look forward to with vigour and high hopes. I intend to specialise in combining artificial intelligence with HSE management systems for high-risk industries. Such novelty fascinates me, especially using predictive risk management through machine learning and sensor monitoring to identify, mitigate risks and enhance emergency/crisis management and disaster recovery protocols. Continuous improvement on benchmarked frameworks leads to cost effective and safer outcomes with fewer accidents/events.

In terms of professional memberships with organisations, My next target is to apply to become a Chartered Fellow of IOSH in 2026.