Hugh Maxwell

Hugh Maxwell – Internationally Risk and Safety Leader, Maxwell Safety Limited

Hugh Maxwell is an internationally experienced Risk and Safety professional with over 30 years of senior management expertise driving cultural change, strategic growth, and leadership development across high-risk industries. His diverse career includes work in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, petrochemicals, steel, foundries, mining, and offshore salvage projects.

Having worked across six continents, Hugh has shaped global attitudes toward safety and embedded robust risk management practices through innovative process and people development. His previous leadership roles include interim Head of Health and Safety for Spirax Sarco Steam Specialty Division, Business Director (EMEA) for Chubb Risk Advisors, Group HSE Manager at Foseco and Global Environmental Leader for ESAB. As HSE Director at Vesuvius PLC, he led the award-winning Safety Breakthrough programme, earning the 2018 IIRSM Excellence Award for Best International Risk Initiative.

A Fellow of IIRSM, IOSH, the Chartered Management Institute, and the Institute of Leadership, Hugh also serves as an IIRSM and NEBOSH Ambassador and is an Avetta Fellow. Recognised among the Top Health and Safety Influencers by HSE People (2021, 2022) and SHP Magazine (2023, 2024), he was named by WSH Asia as one of the Top Safety Influencers in Asia and Africa in 2023.

A three-time IIRSM Mentor of the Year award recipient (2019, 2022, 2025), Hugh chairs the IIRSM Fellowship Recommendation Panel and continues to mentor professionals worldwide. He holds a degree in Chemistry, a Master’s in Total Quality Management, and numerous qualifications in health, safety, environmental management, leadership, and mentoring. As a certified Lumina Spark practitioner, he integrates modern psychometrics to enhance team performance and develop future leaders.