HSLA COMMITTEE ELECTIONS 2026
Election Timing
9 February – Voting opens
Noon 23 February – Voting closes
The results will be announced at the AGM (date TBC).
How to view the candidates
By clicking the candidate’s name, this will open up their short biography and why you should choose them.
You can either leave the bio open or click to close. You could shortlist candidates by leaving their bios open.
How to vote
Use the dropdown for each of the positions (you may need to scroll down depending on the device you are using) and click your choice. At the foot of the form, click Submit.
Members can vote for two candidates in the HSLA Officer election and you can vote for one candidate in the Scotland Officer election.
Election Candidates
HSLA Officer
Statement
I have been a member of the HSLA since 2016 and on the HSLA Committee since 2024. I have attended many HSLA events over the years, and was a speaker at an HSLA seminar on expert evidence hosted by Birketts in Cambridge last year.
I have been involved in a variety of investigations, prosecutions, inquests and related civil proceedings over the years, including acting for the defendants in a number of Crown Court trials such as Renown (s.3 HSWA), Hawkins, Dixon and MPM (Northwest) Ltd (gross negligence manslaughter and s.2 HSWA), Stonegate Pub Company Limited (s.3 HSWA) and Falcon Tower Crane Services Limited (s.2 HSWA). My cases have involved RTAs, falls from height, crowd management, COSHH, tower cranes and barrier collapses, fire safety, legionella, smart motorways and railways. I am the editor of the Confined Spaces chapter of Tolley’s Health & Safety at Work Handbook.
As an officer of the HSLA I can draw on previous experience, including with a firm of solicitors, to understand and represent the interests of all the HSLA’s members and help to pursue the HSLA’s aims of promoting the development of health & safety law (especially important now when jury trials for health & safety offences are under threat) and providing education and training.
If re-elected, I will do my best to help the HSLA to put on the types of events which are most useful to its members, whilst monitoring and responding to developments which are likely to affect their interests.
HSLA Officer
Statement
I am known for my positivity, grounded nature and commitment to inclusivity, consistently approaching every challenge with both energy and enthusiasm. I would relish the chance to bring this drive to the HSLA, helping to advance its key initiatives.
As a health and safety lawyer and longstanding HSLA member of 15 years, I bring extensive experience in both defending and prosecuting cases on a national scale, including high-profile matters such as the tragic explosion at Pembroke Dock oil refinery. I also regularly advise national and international organisations on governance and risk management. My approachable and upbeat manner, combined with my sector knowledge, positions me well to help drive HSLA’s initiatives and foster a vibrant, inclusive professional community.
My rounded experience in the sector also enables me to effectively champion thought leadership and I am keen to promote further regional events that cater for all members. I would be dedicated to ensuring that the HSLA remains welcoming to new members, placing particular emphasis on supporting the development of emerging talent in our field.
HSLA Officer
Statement
I am a Senior Associate at BCL Solicitors LLP, having joined the firm in November 2023. I have a mixed practice across corporate crime and regulatory work with a particular focus on Health and Safety.
I am a dual-qualified versatile lawyer with broad experience in a range of practice areas. I initially qualified as a solicitor in immigration, international protection, human rights and extradition in 2017. Following this I qualified as a criminal barrister and spent 7 years at the Criminal Bar before taking my current role at BCL.
I am applying for the role of Officer of the HSLA and would be happy to be placed in any sub-committee. I have worked as lawyer in different capacities (prosecuting, defending, civil and criminal, at the bar and in a firm) which means I can relate to and successfully represent the interests of all legal professionals who are members of the HSLA.
I would be an organised and enthusiastic member of the HSLA Committee. I have previously worked and continue to work successfully in a range of committees, including: (i) Management Committee of my former chambers (4 Breams Buildings); (ii) Education and Training Committee of my former chambers and at BCL; (iii) Marketing Committee of my former chambers; and (iv) the AI Committee at BCL. My experience on committees extends to budgeting and financial matters, organising events, conferences and training, building and drafting policies, as well as mentoring and supporting junior lawyers.
HSLA Officer
Statement
I am an Associate (Foreign-Qualified) in the Regulatory team at Kingsley Napley, specialising in health and safety work. I have advised on a broad range of matters, including defending prosecutions, managing crisis response following serious incidents, advising on compliance, and guiding clients through complex investigations. Before joining Kingsley Napley, I worked in leading health and safety teams in Australia, where I advised on serious and high‑profile incidents, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. I am a confident public speaker and hold advocacy experience in Queensland courts.
In 2022, I served as a committee member of the Girls’ Ball Association in Queensland, helping to deliver a charity ball in support of a nominated women’s charity. I contributed to all aspects of the committee’s work, including sponsor engagement, networking to drive ticket sales, managing guest lists, and coordinating with venues and vendors to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of the event.
I have a strong interest in the mental‑health aspects of health and safety law, informed by my work with Australia’s evolving approach to psychosocial risks. As the UK develops along a similar trajectory, I would welcome the opportunity to draw on this comparative experience and help shape practical approaches in this area.
As an Officer of the HSLA, I would bring energy, initiative and a genuine commitment to supporting the organisation’s strategic and practical objectives. I am proactive in building connections, encouraging engagement, promoting activities, and helping to create inclusive opportunities that reflect the needs and interests of the wider membership.
HSLA Officer
Statement
Short Biography: I have prosecuted and defended in health and safety cases for most of my career. I am on the Specialist List of Regulatory Advocates – Panel A. My practice areas include “serious crime” [terrorism, murder, fraud]; health and safety [regularly instructed in fatality cases]; fire law and environmental crime. I lecture here and abroad on aspects of regulatory law and write extensively on a broad range of criminal matters. I sit as a Recorder of the Crown Court. I was a founding member of the Bar Human Rights Committee and am a past elected member of the Bar Council.
Short Statement: I was on the HSLA Committee in its early and formative years. It has made much progress since then. I would wish to join the Committee again, a little older and a little more experienced. I’m keen to assist the Committee in expanding its educational programmes with a view increasing expertise, reducing barriers to entry, improving membership and the broadening the “footprint” of the HSLA. I have some experience of working collaboratively on Committees throughout my career.
HSLA Officer
Statement
I have been practising in the field of health and safety, both prosecuting and defending, since the early years of my practice. During my last term as an HSLA officer I participated in the Thought Leadership sub-committee. I worked with members and others on several initiatives including the HSLA’s response to the consultation exercise on proposed changes to the sentencing council guidelines.
I am also actively engaged in work regarding the issue of delays in the court system which affect all practitioners and would very much like to continue this project.
Whilst we all acknowledge the huge pressures there are on public resources, I believe that the importance of health and safety cases is not always properly recognised throughout the court system. Too often cases which have been listed for many months are taken out of a Crown Court list at very short notice and I am particularly concerned that this is happening without a full appreciation of the individual circumstances of the case involved. Practitioners will also be all too aware of the effect current proposals made in response to court backlogs may have on the availability of jury trials in the future and it is my belief that, if re-elected, together with colleagues on the Thought Leadership sub-committee, I could make a positive contribution to this debate on behalf of members.
HSLA Officer
Statement I practise in health and safety, fire safety, environmental law, public inquiries, and inquests, appearing in some of the most significant cases in these areas. I thrive on collaborative working and am committed to supporting junior lawyers. Since my election to the HSLA Committee in 2024, I have delivered tangible progress: Juniors: I initiated and led the HSLA’s work to support junior lawyers developing a health and safety practice, including organising the first dedicated juniors’ event. Regions: I have supported the HSLA’s engagement beyond London, achieving increased regional participation. Women: I established an annual International Women’s Day event. Events: As a member of the Events Sub-committee, I have played a key role in organising the Annual Conference and other HSLA events. If re-elected, I will continue to bring: Experience: I have extensive experience in voluntary leadership roles, including Chair of 3RB’s Health and Safety Practice Group and Chair of the IBA Criminal Law Committee. I have chaired three successful conferences for the Expert Witness Institute, securing leading speakers, including members of the senior judiciary. I regularly train corporates, experts and law firms on health and safety and inquests and am a past speaker at the HSLA Annual Conference. Listening and Support:I engage closely with chambers, experts and law firms to understand developments affecting our work and promote best practice. I mentor for Advocate and ARDL and established a mentoring scheme within 3RB. If re-elected, I will continue to represent members’ interests, promote best practice across our profession, and support the next generation of health and safety lawyers.
HSLA Officer
Statement
I was elected to the HSLA committee in 2024, and it has been a pleasure to contribute to the success of the HSLA over the last 2 years. I have led the membership sub-committee where we have made a concerted push to attract more members from the HSE and other regulators, as well as expanding our events to members in the regions. I have established an annual social event in Bristol for members in the South-West and a personal highlight was arranging our keynote speaker for the 2025 annual conference – one of the first female fighter pilots in the RAF!
I would welcome the opportunity to continue this engaging and rewarding work for members for the next two years. Having benefited from membership of the HSLA since qualifying into this area over 14 years ago, I have very much enjoyed giving back to the association via the committee. We have some great ideas as a committee and there is plenty yet to do. It would be a privilege to be re-elected and to continue delivering our exciting plans for members in the coming years.
HSLA Scotland Officer
Statement
Pinsent Masons has a proud history of active involvement in the HSLA. As a firm, we want to make sure that we continue to contribute to the HSLA, and that we benefit from all that it has to offer.
As a partner in Pinsent Masons’ health and safety team who is dual-qualified in Scots and English law, and who has also worked in-house with a regulator in the past, I feel I can make an important contribution to ensuring that the HSLA has a very broad offering for members.
After the election two years ago, I was co-opted onto the HSLA Committee to provide a focal point for the HSLA’s activities in Scotland. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to get Scotland-specific events up and running again, to increase the Scottish content at the annual HSLA conference, and to contribute more widely to the events committee. I’m very grateful to the other Scottish members who have come together to support that.
The job is not done yet! It would be great to have the chance to deliver the exciting programme of events that we have planned in Scotland for this year and beyond.