Tom Ballard

Head of Safety and Engineering @Cadent

East Midlands, GB

As Head of Safety and Engineering, I provide strategic leadership for all safety, health, environment, and security activities across the network. Accountable for ensuring full compliance with Cadent’s Safety Management System, relevant legislation, and industry standards whilst driving operational excellence.Safety Team: Oversee all aspects of incident investigation and root cause analysis, ensuring recommendations and corrective actions are identified and implemented to prevent recurrence. Driving proactive safety strategies focused on continually improving safety performanceCompliance Team: Ensuring all operational activities are delivered in strict accordance with policy, procedures, and regulatory standards. Identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting implementationMRP Programme Assurance Team: Assuring all activities associated with mains replacement are delivered safely and compliantly. Ensuring contractors meet the highest standards of competence, documentation, and site preparation.Energy Operations - I lead a multi-disciplined team of around 100 engineers & 40 staff responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of operational activities across Energy Operations. My focus is on embedding a strong safety culture and effective risk management, with a particular emphasis on process safety, leadership, and continuous improvement. Cost efficiency and managing budgets in line with business requirements are key to success.Key aspects of my role include:Reviewing policies and standards, ensuring alignment with evolving legislation and industry guidance.Providing technical and engineering expertise to support incident investigations, operational competency, and regulatory compliance - including CDM regulations.Leading the ongoing development of a multi-skilled workforce, supporting talent progression and skills growth across the team.

Loughborough University

Master of Science - MS, Strategic Leadership