David Bishop, Event Director of The Health & Safety Event, has spent decades bringing the health and safety community together.
Following his recent Lifetime Achievement Award at the Safety & Health Excellence Awards, David reflects on an unexpected career in the industry, the relationships that have shaped his work and some of the biggest issues facing health and safety professionals today.
David's career in health and safety began almost by accident.
While working in advertising across the building and construction sector, he met Ken Barnes, who had worked on the first incarnation of IFSEC. David later joined Paramount Publishing, where events including Securex, Firex and Safety & Health at Work grew from smaller shows into major industry events.
The events eventually moved to Olympia and Earls Court before Safety & Health at Work ultimately became part of the wider event landscape at the NEC.
For David, the most rewarding part of his career has been the relationships he has built across the industry.
He describes the satisfaction of seeing customers make new connections, develop business opportunities and find the expertise or products they need.
That willingness to share knowledge is something David sees as a defining strength of the health and safety community.
David highlights long-term ill health, occupational illness, stress and mental health among the issues that require greater attention.
He also points to the potential impact of AI, which is already being used to identify risks, improve compliance and support better decision-making.
But technology is only part of the picture. David believes the quality of the data behind these systems will be increasingly important as AI becomes more widely used.
David sees an interesting future for health and safety, with technologies such as AI and computer vision potentially allowing organisations to identify hazards and unsafe practices in real time.
At the same time, professionals still need to stay up to date with legislation, standards and compliance.
For The Health & Safety Event, the challenge is bringing these conversations together while continuing to give professionals practical information they can use in their roles.
David also believes the industry needs to challenge its outdated image if it is going to attract the next generation, something that The Health and Safety Event platforms with its Next-Gen Network initiative.
Health and safety has traditionally been a career people moved into from other sectors, but apprenticeships and alternative routes are helping to open up the profession to younger people.
For David, showcasing the wider impact of the profession - from workplace wellbeing and mental health to creating safer working environments - will be key to attracting new talent.
We’d like to thank David for everything he continues to do for the health and safety community. His passion for bringing people together, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities across the industry is a huge part of what makes The Health & Safety Event what it is today.
It’s also a big part of why Health & Safety Digital exists - as the digital platform supporting The Health & Safety Event, we’re proud to continue those conversations online, connecting the community with the latest news, insights and expertise throughout the year.
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