HSE announces reappointment of three board members

E031:09 8 May 2009

Three members of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) board have had their appointments extended, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has announced.

Construction specialist John Spanswick and well known local government figure Sandy Blair have been reappointed for an additional three years. Both took up their roles in 2006. Judith Donovan, who has already served as a commissioner for nine years, has agreed a 12-month extension - and will become the longest serving member of the board as she completes the maximum 10-year term.

Judith Hackitt, HSE Chair, said:

"John, Judith and Sandy bring valued specialist insight and practical experience to the board and they have all been integral to the development of our forthcoming strategy.

"Their reappointments ensure we have robust strategic direction and provide us with continuity - an essential factor as we face the challenge of making Britain's workplaces safer."

Notes to editors

1. Photographs are available by contacting HSE PR on the numbers below.
2. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and Health and Safety Executive merged on 1 April 2008, when the commissioners became non-executive board members. The HSE Board is comprised of nine members who are appointed following consultation with representative groups of employers, employees, local authorities and others. The individual members have significant experience in business, local government, trade unions and other important aspects of the health and safety system.
3. John Spanswick is a key figure in the UK construction industry. He joined Bovis straight from school and rose through the ranks in a 40-year career, becoming Chief Executive of Bovis Lend Lease's UK and European business in 2000 and Group Chairman in 2005. He was Chairman of the Major Contractors Group and is currently Chairman of the Strategic Forum Health and Safety Group. He was awarded a CBE in 2006.
4. Judith Donovan started her own marketing agency in 1982 and built a workforce of 50 and a turnover of £12.5million before selling it in a management buy-out in 2000. She has a portfolio of public roles, including board member of the Big Lottery Fund and British Wool Marketing Board and a governor of Legacy Trust UK. She takes an active role in public life in Yorkshire, supporting York Minster and Ripon Cathedral as well as being a member of the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee for North Yorkshire. Judith has also served as Chair of the Yorkshire Tourist Board, Chair of Bradford Training and Enterprise Council and President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce. She was awarded a CBE in 1997.
5. Sandy Blair's career in local government stretches back 35 years. Having started his professional life as a solicitor in private practice he entered local government at Knowsley Council in 1974. His first appointment as a local authority chief executive came in 1984 in Bassetlaw. He took the chief executive's job in Newport in 1992. In 2001, Sandy took up the post of director at the Welsh Local Government Association. He was awarded the CBE for services to local government in Wales in 2005. Sandy is also a governor of the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff and a trustee of mental health charity Growing Space.

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