At Churchill, we know that delivering high-quality services isn’t just about appearance – it’s about protecting people. Safety underpins everything we do.
That’s why we’re investing in developing the knowledge and skills of our teams. We have recently established a programme for our account management teams to undergo IOSH Managing Safely. The programme sees a commitment that every Account Manager will do the training, so they have the tools to put health and safety first.
We are absolutely committed to our 100% training target. Over 300 colleagues have already been through the course, and more training is scheduled to support new starters or those that have been newly promoted into account management roles. By equipping our people with this recognised qualification, we’re reinforcing our promise to customers and colleagues alike: to make every workplace safer, better managed, and more resilient.
What does the IOSH Managing Safely course cover?
The IOSH Managing Safely course is a globally recognised programme designed to help account managers understand their responsibilities and improve safety culture. Each participant typically completes 21 – 25 hours of learning over six months, making it accessible alongside busy workloads.
Key learning areas include:
- Why managing safely matters: The moral, legal, and financial reasons to prioritise safety – and the consequences of getting it wrong.
- Assessing and controlling risks: How to spot hazards, assess risks, and apply effective controls, using the hierarchy of controls to choose the best measures.
- Understanding responsibilities: A clear view of health and safety law, roles and responsibilities, and the need for structured management systems.
- Recognising common workplace hazards: Real-world hazards relevant to our sector, from slips and trips to manual handling, chemicals, stress, and working at height.
- Investigating incidents: How to learn from accidents and near misses to prevent future harm.
- Measuring performance: The importance of monitoring safety performance, both reactively and proactively, to drive continual improvement.
This practical approach ensures our account managers can confidently assess risks, make informed decisions, and support their teams to work safely every day.
Amanda Lenehan, head of QHSE at Churchill Group, explained the importance of this training:
“Health and safety isn’t optional for us – it’s central to how we deliver our services. By investing in IOSH Managing Safely training for our account managers, we’re ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions for their teams. It’s about protecting people, building a culture of safety, and setting high standards across the industry.”
A wider commitment to people and safety
The IOSH training programme isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader commitment to our people and customers’ safety.
As an Employee Ownership Trust, we’ve placed our colleagues at the heart of the business. Being employee-owned means every decision is shaped with the long-term success and wellbeing of our people in mind, building an engaged and empowered workforce
Our health and safety management systems are robust and ISO 45001 certified, ensuring we operate to internationally recognised standards. We don’t just aim to meet the minimum requirements – we want to lead by example.
At an operational level, our Vision Zero programme sets out seven golden rules to embed a proactive culture of prevention. It’s how we integrate safety, health, wellbeing, and the environment into everyday work, from clear leadership to investing in people and continuous learning.
We’re also proud of our proven track record. In 2024, Churchill Group received the RoSPA Gold Medal, marking nine consecutive years of RoSPA Gold Awards. This prestigious recognition demonstrates our strong systems, leadership involvement, employee consultation, and incident investigation processes.
We recognise that safety isn’t just physical. Over 70 colleagues across the group have trained as Mental Health First Aiders, supported by our broader WellMe programme, which covers mental, physical, financial, and workplace wellbeing. This holistic approach reflects our belief that caring for people means supporting them in every dimension of their work and life.