Jane Downey
Senior Head of Health & Safety at Arqiva @Arqiva
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WORK HISTORY
Senior Head of Health & Safety at Arqiva @Arqiva
National, US
As the Senior Head of H&S for Arqiva, I am responsible for shaping and delivering the multi-year HSEQ strategy across a large, high-risk portfolio of engineering, broadcast, telecoms and infrastructure operations. My focus is on building a modern, people-centred safety culture and transforming the HSEQ function into a trusted, enabling partner to the business.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:• Designed and delivered a 3-year Health & Safety Improvement Strategy aligned to organisational growth and operational needs• Restructured the HSEQ function, creating both BAU excellence and a strategic project delivery team to drive long-term improvements• Strengthened critical risk management through engineered controls, simplified standards and enhanced governance• Modernised safety culture by improving leadership visibility, embedding behavioural expectations and empowering frontline colleagues• Introduced insight-led reporting, leading indicators and improved Board-level assurance• Led major incident investigations, root cause analysis and cross-functional learning programmes• Built capability across the organisation through coaching, competence development and leadership training
EDUCATION
University of Greenwich
Bachelor’s Degree with First Class Honours, Occupational Safety, Health and the Environment
The Open University
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Management Practice
Heriot-Watt University
Master of Science - MS, Safety & Risk Management
Chartered Management Institute
Postgraduate Diploma Strategic Management & Leadership, Strategic Leadership
ABOUT JANE DOWNEY
As a Chartered HSEQ leader with 15+ years’ experience in high-risk, field-based industries, I specialise in building people-first safety cultures that scale with business growth. My passion is creating HSEQ functions that don’t just manage risk — they drive efficiency, enable performance, innovation and long-term value.I believe HSEQ shouldn’t be a “bolt-on” priority. It needs to be deeply embedded in how work is done: in decision-making, design, leadership behaviours and everyday operations. My approach is grounded in real-world practice — walking the field, listening to challenges, and empowering the real experts (the people doing the job) to design safe, practical ways of working that actually make sense.My key strengths include:• Culture & Leadership: driving transformational change through coaching, peer learning and organisational alignment• Strategic HSEQ Design: building integrated management systems, insight-led assurance and scalable HSEQ structures• Critical Risk Management: engineering out life-impacting hazards, defining non-negotiables, and strengthening ownership in key operational areas• Digital & Insight-Driven Safety: using intelligent data, predictive indicators and smart systems to support informed, evidence-based decisions• Team Building & Capability Development: growing BAU and transformation teams, developing competence, coaching and mentoring future HSEQ leadersMy long-term vision is to build a culture where HSEQ becomes who we are — not something we “do”. When leadership, systems, behaviour and data all work together, the HSEQ function transitions from policing to guidance, strategy and long-term value creation.I’m motivated by helping organisations turn ambitious strategies into everyday safe, reliable delivery — through people, simplicity and meaningful change.Recognition:• Shortlist: Health & Safety Team of the Year - Safety & Health Excellence Awards• Winner: Woman of the Year & Highly Commended, Alan McArthur Unsung Hero – Safety & Health Excellence Awards• Finalist: Woman of the Year, Alan McArthur Unsung Hero, Health & Safety Manager of the Year• Finalist: John Bennett Exceptional Young Person of the Year – IIRSM Risk Excellence Awards• Finalist: International Compliance Officer of the Year (Large Company) – Women in Compliance AwardsKey skills: Keeping it simple and focusing on what truly matters.
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