Group Head of Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE)

About the role

The Group Head of HSE will report directly to the Board and lead the health, safety and environmental strategy for a fast‑growing house‑builder operating across the Midlands, South West, Hertfordshire, London and Essex. You will shape a modern, commercially focused HSE function that adds value across construction sites, regional offices and showrooms.

Key responsibilities

• Review the current outsourced HSE provision and design a phased plan to build an in‑house function.
• Oversee HSE performance across multiple live construction sites and regional offices.
• Lead investigations of accidents, incidents and near‑misses, identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Support Site Managers with inductions, toolbox talks and day‑to‑day safety guidance.
• Recruit, develop and grow an internal HSE team as the business expands.
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, CDM Regulations, Building Safety Act, RIDDOR, COSHH, Working at Height Regulations, PUWER and LOLER.
• Conduct regular site inspections, audits and risk‑assessment reviews.
• Develop KPIs, safety performance metrics and produce monthly reports for the Executive Team and Board.
• Manage environmental compliance, monitoring dust, noise, waste and surface‑water impacts.

Required profile

• Proven senior HSE leadership experience within house‑building or large‑scale construction.
• Demonstrated ability to build and embed an in‑house HSE function.
• Strong stakeholder management with senior executives, construction directors and subcontractors.
• Excellent analytical and investigative skills.

Required skills

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM)
• Building Safety Act
• RIDDOR reporting
• COSHH compliance
• Working at Height Regulations
• PUWER and LOLER knowledge
• Risk assessment and method statement development
• Incident investigation and root‑cause analysis
• KPI development and safety performance reporting