David Ashton

David Ashton is the Health and Safety Executive’s Director of Field Operations. 

He joined HSE in 1977 as an inspector in the west of Scotland where he dealt with a wide range of manufacturing and service industries, including construction, engineering and the health services. 

In 1986 he joined Field Operations HQ to deal with machinery safety.  He then held the post of Principal Inspector of manufacturing in Preston for two years, before being appointed as a management systems auditor to examine offshore safety cases in the newly formed Offshore Division. 

In 1993 he became Head of HSE’s Accident Prevention Advisory Unit, looking at the management of health and safety in organisations.  Between 1993 and 2003 David was HSE’s Director of Personnel. 

In 2003 he was appointed Director of Field Operations North West and Headquarters Division before being appointed to his current position in December 2008.