Informa Health, Safety & Security Manager (Europe) Recruitment

Client Overview

Informa is one of the world's leading organisers of international events, exhibitions, conferences and specialist knowledge services. Operating across more than 30 countries, Informa delivers thousands of events each year, bringing together businesses, industries and professionals on a global scale.

With an expanding European events portfolio and an increasing focus on operational resilience, Informa partnered with Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Health, Safety & Security Manager (Europe). The appointment would lead health, safety and security across multiple countries while also acting as the Group's specialist adviser on travel risk and security.

The Challenge

Managing health, safety and security across a multinational events business presents particular challenges. Every event operates within different legislative frameworks, venue requirements and operational risks, which calls for robust governance alongside practical operational leadership. Unlike a fixed estate, an events portfolio is rebuilt venue by venue, so standards have to travel with the team rather than sit in the building.

Informa required an experienced professional capable of developing and embedding consistent health, safety and security standards across its European operations while supporting business growth and protecting employees, contractors, exhibitors and visitors. The successful candidate would be responsible for:

• Leading health, safety & security across Informa's European events portfolio.
• Developing and implementing company-wide EHS policies and management systems.
• Acting as the Group's adviser on travel health, safety and security.
• Ensuring compliance with local legislation and international best practice.
• Conducting risk assessments and developing event-specific safety plans.
• Supporting major exhibitions, conferences and live events.
• Managing internal audits and external regulatory inspections.
• Producing reports and performance data for senior leadership and the Group Risk Committee.
• Delivering health & safety training and promoting a positive safety culture.
• Investigating incidents and implementing preventative measures.
• Driving continual improvement across operational risk management.

The role required a senior health and safety professional with extensive European experience, excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to operate confidently within a fast-paced international business.

Our Approach

Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Informa's senior leadership to build a full understanding of the organisation's operational structure, international footprint and strategic objectives.

Given the specialist nature of the role, we undertook a targeted executive search focusing on professionals with experience managing health, safety and security across complex, multi-site or international organisations. Our search concentrated on candidates who demonstrated:

• Extensive European health & safety leadership experience.
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification).
• IOSH Graduate Membership or higher professional accreditation.
• Strong knowledge of UK and European health & safety legislation.
• Experience within exhibitions, events, hospitality or complex operational environments.
• Security and travel risk management expertise.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders across multiple countries.
• Excellent communication, leadership and training skills.

Every shortlisted candidate completed a comprehensive assessment covering technical competence, leadership capability and cultural alignment before being presented to the client. At this level, a NEBOSH Diploma and IOSH membership are the entry ticket rather than the differentiator; what separates candidates is whether they have shaped safety behaviour in venues and teams they do not directly control, which is the daily reality of events work.

The Outcome

Maxwell Stephens placed an experienced Health, Safety & Security Manager who brought significant expertise in international health, safety and security leadership. The successful candidate quickly established themselves as a trusted adviser across the European business, strengthening governance while supporting the safe delivery of major international events.

The Impact

The appointment gave Informa a dedicated health, safety and security lead for its European events portfolio during a period of continued international growth.

This assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' expertise in recruiting senior health and safety, security and facilities professionals for global organisations where compliance, operational resilience and stakeholder confidence are business critical.

If you are recruiting a senior health, safety or security leader for a multi-country or events-led organisation, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates with the right combination of technical credentials and influence. Get in touch with our team.