AWARD-WINNING retrofit decarbonisation contractor Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) has appointed Matthew Kershaw as its new head of health and safety.
With more than 17 years of experience in various health and safety roles across multiple sectors, Matthew brings a wealth of expertise to SBS. Describing himself as a ‘jack of all trades’ in safety, he has worked across diverse industries but is most passionate about improving communities through transformational retrofit projects.
Matthew said: “I grew up in social housing, so I know what it’s like to live in a cold house and not be allowed to turn the heating on through winter.”
His career has allowed him to witness first-hand how retrofit solutions can positively impact communities. Matthew continued: “I worked on a rundown housing estate in Wales where we installed external wall insulation (EWI). We collaborated with contractors and site teams to create a positive working environment for residents. As the houses started to look more modern, people took pride in their surroundings – gardens were tidied, fences were painted, and within 18 months to two years, the whole village had transformed.”
For Matthew, people are at the heart of safety. His perspective is that processes and procedures don’t keep people safe, but people keep people safe.
Working closely with the senior leadership team and project managers, he aims to integrate safety into every aspect of operations to ensure safety is “blended in, not bolted on.”
Matthew said: “You can either see health and safety as a compliance and risk strategy, or you can see it as a people strategy. A strong safety culture creates not only a safer work environment, but a more supportive and productive one. This, in turn, should enhance overall well-being, job satisfaction, and ultimately support the growth of SBS.”
Over the next 18 months, Matthew plans to expand the health and safety team and embed a new way of thinking across the SBS ecosystem. His goal is to create a company-wide culture where safety is a shared responsibility, deeply integrated into every process rather than treated as a separate compliance function.
Matthew said: “I want people to make good decisions at the right time, but we must also hold them accountable for those decisions. That comes from a culture of trust, kindness, patience, and responsibility. By fostering open communication, ensuring competency at all levels, and leveraging technology, we can embed safety seamlessly into SBS’s daily operations.”
Gary Lawson, managing director at SBS, said: “Bringing Matthew into the SBS team is an important appointment for us. His expertise and passion for a company-wide cultural approach to safety, along with striving for continuous improvement, will be invaluable in driving SBS toward a more innovative approach to health and safety. We look forward to hearing the ideas he will bring to the table and supporting him with implementing them.”
For more information about SBS, visit www.sustainablebuildinguk.com
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