Health and Safety Executive names new Deputy Chief Executive

E042:08 11th September 2008

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that Kevin Myers has been appointed as HSE's Deputy Chief Executive. The appointment follows an open competition overseen by the Civil Service Commission. Kevin will take up post on 13 October 2008.

HSE's Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger said:

'I am delighted that Kevin Myers is taking up post as Deputy Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience and an understanding of health and safety issues from a regional, national and European perspective. His cross-sectoral knowledge, gained from a career spanning more than thirty years with HSE, means he is well placed to make a significant and ongoing contribution to our work.'

Kevin Myers said:

'I am really looking forward to the opportunity in this role to further HSE's principal aim of protecting people by ensuring real health and safety risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled. All my experience tells me that this makes good business sense and I know many businesses recognise this. I see HSE's role being to work in partnership with those that do - but to hold to account those who do not effectively control the risks they create.'

Kevin Myers joined HSE in 1976 as a factory inspector. He has broad experience of working across the organisation both in the field and in roles at HSE headquarters. He was seconded to the European Commission in Brussels in 1993 and subsequently held the post of Regional Director of HSE Field Operations Directorate. Kevin was Chief Inspector of Construction from 2000 to 2005. He is currently Director of HSE's Hazardous Installations Directorate, responsible for regulatory oversight of the offshore oil and gas, onshore chemicals, explosives, mines, gas storage and distribution and biological agents sectors.

Notes to editors

HSE's job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities. It is governed by the HSE Board and the Senior Management Team. The Board comprises nine members who are appointed following consultation with representative groups including employers, employees, local authorities and others. The Senior Management Team has twelve members holding key positions in HSE including its Operational and Policy Directors, Agency Chief Executives and Legal Advisor. HSE is accountable to Parliament via its Minister, Lord McKenzie, at the Department of Work and Pensions.

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