IOSH president elect outlines aims

Kelly Nicoll CFIOSH will take on the role for 2023-24, subject to ratification at IOSH’s AGM on 15 November.

She aims to continue to champion members, with a focus on supporting and celebrating IOSH’s volunteers, while also highlighting the importance of psychosocial safety and coaching.

She said, “It is an honour and a real career highlight to be nominated as president-elect. I will wholeheartedly support Stuart Hughes in his presidential year and also work closely with him and the wider presidential team to build on the work to strengthen IOSH’s Council, to improve its efficacy and impact.”

Kelly is currently head of environment, health and safety at Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust. In 15 years as an OSH professional, Kelly has also worked in industries including rail, facilities management, the NHS, construction, events and broadcasting.

She has held several volunteering roles for IOSH, including as a member of the Thames Valley Branch committee, as a mentor and as a member of council. Away from IOSH, she represents health and safety or a special educational trust in Doncaster and is a board member for the Recovery Coach Academy, which delivers coaching skills for people recovering from addiction.

Members of IOSH’s council approved her nomination as president-elect when it met on 11 October. If approved at the AGM, Kelly will take on the role as Stuart Hughes becomes president. She is then set to become president in late 2024.

She added: “No one should go to work and not come home. This sentiment became more personal after experiencing the aftermath of a fatality at work, and this phrase has become the driving force behind everything I have done since, within my career and my time with IOSH.

“I have always cared about others. This led me to fall into health and safety as a second career, where I have found a vocation that I am genuinely proud to be a part of. It is reflected in how I have engaged and become embedded into Council, and all other areas of my career, and recently achieving my Fellowship.

“As the next president elect, I look forward to continuing to give back to our membership and our profession and championing my belief: everyone gets home.”

Find out more about IOSH’s Presidential team.