In the spotlight with John Hooker

How did you get into the health and safety industry?

I first became aware of workplace hazards growing up on a small farm—my dad was always warning me about machinery, vehicles, and livestock. That early exposure sparked my interest in safety. I went on to study engineering at university and began my career in engineering and manufacturing, where I dealt with product safety and maintaining safe working environments.

In my first role at a rope and cable manufacturer, I worked with high-tech fibres like Kevlar and HMPE, developing safer solutions for industries like shipping and climbing. This included innovations that helped reduce injuries, such as lightweight mooring ropes.

My career later took me through the marine, medical device, and PPE sectors. Before joining BSIF, I was chief executive of SATRA Technology, where I led the PPE division through Brexit and the introduction of new regulations. That journey really deepened my involvement in the health and safety industry.

What attracted you to the CEO role at BSIF?

I’ve been closely involved with BSIF, particularly during my time at SATRA, and I’ve been genuinely impressed by the significant progress the team has made over the past decade—especially under Alan Murray'ss leadership. I’ve also had the chance to meet several team members, including at AGMs, and it was clear to me how passionate they are about safety, compliance, education, and promoting a responsible supply chain.

With my background, I saw the CEO role as a unique opportunity to make a more direct impact on the industry—something I found both worthwhile and personally rewarding.

What qualities do you feel you bring to this role?

BSIF has been on an incredible journey over the past decade, with a talented team making a real impact on safety outcomes and supporting the industry as a whole.

I believe I bring complementary skills to help continue that progress—particularly vision and leadership to guide the next phase of development. I’m passionate, determined, and resilient, all of which are essential for delivering meaningful results.

My career in PPE has given me broad experience in regulatory and supply chain challenges, and I pair that with a strong technical mindset and a clear understanding of the wider landscape our members operate in. I genuinely believe I can make a valuable contribution.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the health and safety industry in the UK?

One major concern is the stagnation in safety improvements. If you look at accident statistics, particularly under RIDDOR, progress has plateaued—which is worrying.

Another challenge is the shift in the HSE’s focus. It’s moving more towards enforcement rather than education, and that creates a gap. If no one steps in to fill that space, vital safety messages and knowledge may not reach those who need them most.

Non-compliant safety products entering the market—especially via online marketplaces—is another serious and ongoing issue. It’s been a problem for several years, and it’s made worse by the limited resources available for market surveillance and enforcement.

Those are just a few of the most pressing issues, but of course, there are many others as well.

How do you think these challenges can be overcome?

For PPE, which is BSIF’s core focus, education remains key. We’ll continue to support duty holders, economic operators, and end-users by equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to protect people in the workplace. While the HSE sets out what needs to be done, BSIF plays a vital role in showing how to do it—helping organisations make practical improvements and promote a culture of safety.

Robust regulation is essential, but it must be matched with effective enforcement. That’s the only way to maintain a level playing field where responsible businesses can thrive. BSIF will continue to contribute through our Registered Safety Supplier Scheme and our own market surveillance activity.

We’re also committed to working collaboratively with the Department for Business and Trade—particularly through the Office for Product Safety and Standards—to tackle these challenges in a joined-up, forward-looking way.

What do you think are the key challenges and opportunities facing the BSIF?

One of the biggest challenges is getting accurate, important safety messages to the right people at the right time. With so many communication channels and so much misinformation out there, it's becoming increasingly difficult to cut through the noise. That’s a major concern for us.

Tackling this requires collaboration across the industry—it’s not something BSIF can solve alone. We're continuing to champion that collaborative approach. For example, we’ve recently taken on the Secretariat role for Safety Groups UK, which allows us to support the fantastic work of local safety groups across the country.

We’re also developing a new Sourcing Safety training programme, which will complement our existing BSIF training. These initiatives are great opportunities to strengthen industry knowledge and drive improvement.

Another significant opportunity is the recent passing of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, which could pave the way for better regulation of online marketplaces. This is a vital step toward tackling the influx of non-compliant products into the UK. BSIF will be actively involved in helping shape the secondary legislation to ensure it delivers real impact.

What are your personal objectives coming into this role?

Simply put, my goal is to help BSIF make a tangible, positive difference to workplace safety during my time in this role. I also want to ensure we continue to support and add value to our fantastic membership. I’m really looking forward to working closely with many of you as we move forward together.

I'm really excited to be working in a wider landscape and expanding on my own personal development experiences really. 

What do you see as the main strengths of the British Safety Industry Federation?

Over the past decade, BSIF has worked hard to establish itself as a recognised, legitimate, and authoritative voice for the industry. One of its greatest strengths is its impressive and engaged membership base.

Another key strength is the BSIF team itself—knowledgeable, approachable, and deeply passionate about their roles and the industry. That combination of expertise, dedication, and collaboration is what really sets the Federation apart.

What’s your vision for the future of BSIF?

BSIF is already an outstanding organisation with strong leadership and great people. Having just started in the role, my initial focus will be on maintaining this strong foundation so we have a solid platform to grow from. For now, that’s where my attention is.

What do you think the medium-term future holds for the safety industry globally?

We’re certainly in a time of significant change globally, with a lot happening on many fronts. However, overall wealth and living standards continue to improve worldwide, which I believe will drive greater awareness of safety issues.

As workers’ rights and safety concerns grow, so will the demand for quality safety products and services. The medium-term outlook for the industry is positive—those offering excellent products and services should continue to succeed, though there will still be challenges along the way.

How can we entice more young and diverse talent into the health and safety sector?

I think that’s a great target to aim for, and we all have a role to play in achieving it. If people are proud to include health and safety in the wider conversation, then attracting more talent will happen naturally. We need to promote that message—it’s definitely part of BSIF’s wider purpose. If we can get that message out and make it part of everyday conversation, more people will become interested in the sector, attracting young and diverse talent. So, yes, it’s something we all need to contribute to.

John Hooker is CEO of BSIF. For more information, visit www.bsif.co.uk