British Safety Council announces the retirement of Neal Stone, its Policy and Standards Director

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, has bid farewell to Neal Stone, Policy and Standards Director who has been working for the charity and membership body since 2008.

Neal, who was also Acting Chief Executive of the British Safety Council between December 2014 and August 2015, gained great respect from his colleagues and the industry for his considerable professional expertise, passion and integrity.

Neal joined the British Safety Council in May 2008 as Head of Policy and Public Affairs with responsibility for developing its policies and leading its research on major health and safety issues. He represented the British Safety Council in its dealings with the government, HSE, other health and safety bodies, employer organisations, trade unions and other key stakeholders.

Prior to joining the British Safety Council, Neal worked for HSE between 1992 and 2008. From 2005-2007, he was the policy adviser to the Chair of the HSC, Sir Bill Callaghan, and the Commission members.

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said: “Our sincere thanks to Neal for his passion – his contribution to the British Safety Council has been immense. Through his everyday work, tireless campaigning and countless contributions to industry debates and publications, he strengthened the organisation’s position and fostered a wide-ranging respect for it among our members and partners. During his tenure as Acting Chief Executive, he contributed to stabilising the organisation after a period of uncertainty and helped it to regain its strategic focus.

“Neal always championed the British Safety Council’s vision that no one should be injured or made ill at work. We all wish him a happy and healthy retirement and hope that he will now have more time for his passions and hobbies: supporting Chelsea FC, travelling and studying political history.”

Commenting on Neal’s retirement, Lynda Armstrong OBE, Chair of Trustees, said: “On behalf of the trustees, I want to thank Neal for his professionalism, passion and energy during his years at the British Safety Council. His extensive knowledge of health and safety, together with a real belief that together we can make a difference, have been instrumental in shaping the British Safety Council’s policy.

“My personal thanks to Neal also for introducing me to his wide network of health and safety contacts and for so ably leading the British Safety Council as Acting Chief Executive in 2014. He will be missed and I wish him a long, happy and busy retirement.”