Bev Messinger will step down as IOSH chief executive in 2021, a year later than originally planned, she has confirmed.
After what will have been a four-and-a-half-year tenure when she retires in six months' time, Bev will pursue long-held plans to develop a non-executive portfolio, which she postponed this year to lead the Institution through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During that time, Bev has overseen the successful implementation of IOSH’s five-year strategy, WORK 2022 – shaping the future of safety and health, and she initiated and led a comprehensive and successful transformation programme.
'I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work everyone at IOSH has done to take us on the journey from where we were in 2016 to the stronger position we’re in now,' said Bev. 'There has rarely been a time when safety, health and wellbeing at work and the daily efforts of the OSH profession have been so vital, and if COVID-19 has shown anything, it’s that looking after the wellbeing of people is the key to resilient and effective organisations and a better, more sustainable world.'
'If COVID-19 has shown anything, it’s that looking after the wellbeing of people is the key to resilient and effective organisations and a better, more sustainable world'
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Bill Gunnyeon, chair of IOSH's Board of Trustees, said: 'We required someone inspirational and capable of transforming IOSH and addressing many challenges. This is exactly what Bev has done – leading by example, guided by strong and inclusive values and principles.
“She established effective leadership and governance, focused business strategy and ambitions, created greater efficiency, correct resourcing, robust internal processes and better communications that have all improved IOSH’s performance in line with its strategic objectives and members’ needs.'
As his own term as chair comes to an end and the recruitment of his successor is well underway, Bill said the Board will value Bev’s continued support welcoming the new chair and ensuring a smooth transition before she retires next summer.
'It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Bev and to see how her work and that of her team has so significantly transformed IOSH for the better. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank her most sincerely for her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication which has allowed so much to be achieved.'
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