IIRSM Risk Excellence Awards 2024 winners announced!

Our winners were presented with their awards by host Susan Bookbinder at a glittering ceremony on Thursday, 23 May at Church House, London.

This year, we received inspiring submissions highlighting the organisations, teams and individuals who champion better risk management to drive organisational and employee wellbeing.

We would like to thank everyone who entered and attended the awards, our category sponsors Reckitt, Baines Simmons, Barnett Waddingham and Avetta, and supporters Sureteam and Enhesa.

The DEI Strategy of the Year award, sponsored by Reckitt, was presented to Mott MacDonald. Mott MacDonald’s teams have used the approach set out in their global strategy to build local, evidence-led action plans that have helped move the organisation closer to its equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) vision.

ABB Process Industries received the award for Health and Wellbeing Strategy of the Year for fostering a culture of health and wellbeing through collaboration among the leadership team and employees.

Rohit Sharma, Global HSE and Sustainability Manager at ABB Process Industries, said: “In today’s ever-evolving work environment, placing a high priority on the health and wellbeing of employees is essential for the success of any organisation.”

Luton Airport’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team was presented with Highly Commended. The judges recognised that Luton Airport has embraced a profound commitment to fostering an open and transparent wellbeing culture, elevating psychological safety to the same level of importance as physical health and safety.

Dubai Municipality’s Department of Sewage and Recycled Water Networks was awarded with Leading Sustainability Initiative, sponsored by Avetta.

The judges recognised the innovative nature of Dubai Municipality’s waste recycling programme, focused on environmental sustainability and promoting green economy in the region.

Asgeir Nilsen of Gauged Solutions picked up the Mentor of the Year award. Asgeir said: “I feel extremely humble and proud and I am taken aback by my mentees’ testimony regarding the positive impact that I have made in their careers and lives.”

The Barry Holt Award for Outstanding Risk Management Practice was received by FCC Environment UK Ltd and SiteZone, which collaborated on the innovative refuse collection vehicle (RCV) Smart Loader to reduce the risk to workers through a sophisticated proximity warning system. An in-depth trial and subsequent research programme led to the collaboration also receiving the award for Most Impactful Risk Research Project.

The Risk Team of the Year award, sponsored by Barnett Waddingham, went to Heathrow Airport's Health and Safety Team.

Amanda Owen MBE, Safety, Health and Wellbeing Director, said: “I am proud of the work we are doing with Team Heathrow to deliver a safety culture that all our 80,000 colleagues deserve.”

Judge Edward Debrah said: “Seeing the momentum and impact the awards is generating is fantastic, emphasising the point of rewarding hard work and excellence through sustainable risk-based solutions to the very challenges confronting people the world over.”

Dubai Municipality’s Waste Operations Department won the Technological Innovation Project of the Year.

Well done to Cathal Killen of Ashview Consultants, who won the John Bennett Award for Exceptional Young Professional of the Year, sponsored by Baines Simmons. He said: “Although this is an individual award, I have a great team around me and it's a testament to their hard work, dedication and expertise in risk management.”

Steve Fowler and Trevor Bamber were both selected for this year’s Presidents’ Commendation.

Phillip Pearson, IIRSM Chief Executive, said: “Now in its seventh year, the standard of entrants has continued to improve year on year. We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming all our guests to the highlight of our calendar and celebrating those demonstrating a rich understanding of the complexities and benefits of good risk management.”

Judge Emma Soane said: “Congratulations to the award winners on their well-deserved success. Their dedication to excellence in risk and safety management is truly inspiring.”

The full list of categories and winners is:

DEI Strategy of the Year, sponsored by Reckitt:

• Mott MacDonald

Health and Wellbeing Strategy of the Year:

• ABB Process Industries

  Highly Commended: Luton Airport's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team

Leading Sustainability Initiative, sponsored by Avetta:

• Dubai Municipality's Department of Sewage and Recycled Water Networks

Mentor of the Year:

• Asgeir Nilsen, Gauged Solutions

Barry Holt Award – Outstanding Risk Management Practice:

• FCC Environment UK Ltd and SIteZone

Risk Team of the Year, sponsored by Barnett Waddingham:

• Heathrow Airport's Health and Safety Team

Technological Innovation Project of the Year:

• Dubai Municipality's Waste Operations Department

John Bennett Award for Exceptional Young Professional of the Year, sponsored by Baines Simmons:

• Cathal Killen, Ashview Consultants

Most Impactful Risk Research Project:

• FCC Environment UK Ltd and SiteZone

Presidents' Commendation:

• Trevor Bamber and Steve Fowler