Welcome to JMG Group Stuart, MD of Butterworth Spengler’s Risk Support Services
A recent interview with Stuart…
How did your career in Health and Safety begin?
I have always been interested in health and safety. Even whilst training as an apprentice electrician at North West Water Authority I was the health and safety representative. I moved on to become a health and safety instructor for a confined spaces company and following that I was working as a training manager for a company in Leeds.
And how did it continue?
I was approached by the director of a Denton-based insurance broker that had a risk management division, to work with them as a risk management consultant. After four years, myself and two colleagues were approached to move to another Leeds-based broker to set up a Manchester office to look after risk management for their clients.
I was then approached by a Liverpool-based broker to head up a risk management provision, which was very successful and was eventually bought out by a London based broker.
What brought you to Butterworth Spengler?
It was around the time of the sale of the Liverpool broker when I was contacted by John Lacey at Butterworth Spengler to talk about the possibility of expanding its risk management provision. I liked the feel of the company and John’s ambition for health and safety and insurance with the obvious synergies between the two offerings.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy talking to people and making a difference. I often get involved with companies that are struggling with health and safety issues – either in response to an HSE action or have had and accident or a poor claims record. It’s nice to look back after a few years of involvement and see the improvement that has been achieved.
What’s the secret to your success?
Relationships.
My team and I have a great working relationship, I trust each and every one of them to go out and give 100% to their clients. Also, building a trusting relationship with our insurance teams. And also building the relationship with the client. I want to become part of their team and be considered as their in-house health and safety person who will provide solutions.
What advice would I give to anybody starting out in the industry?
Be true to yourself, always be honest, do your research and enjoy what you do.
What is next for the business?
We have plans to expand our health and safety support and service clients across the JMG Group businesses. We also plan to extend our training on the back of receiving approval to conduct CITB courses and NVQs.
We are currently expanding our offices in Liverpool to allow more training to take place here and my aim is to establish additional training provisions across the Group, over time.
I see so many opportunities for growth in the future and aim to offer even more to our clients to ensure we are the place to come for all health and safety support needs.
What Butterworth Spengler MD, John Lacey, says:
“I’m delighted to have Stuart leading this important part of the Butterworth Spengler business. Risk Support Services is all about building relationships and providing quality advice to clients, often at a critical time for their business. Stuart’s passion and expertise is apparent in everything he does, and I am excited to watch the company grow under his leadership.”
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