Group Head of Environment, Health & Safety

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About the company

VetPartners is made up of some of Europe's most respected and trusted small animal, equine, mixed and farm practices and animal healthcare companies. Led by vets, VetPartners has over 13,000 employees working in more than 750 sites across western Europe. It has grown rapidly since its formation in 2015, predominantly through the acquisition of veterinary practices and related businesses. The group operates in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.

After being established as a safe home for veterinary practices, VetPartners has diversified and now includes pet cremation services, an online retailer, a small animal veterinary nursing school, an equine veterinary nursing school, and laboratories.

VetPartners aims to be a great place to work, focusing on the development and wellbeing of its people. In 2022 we were named #1 company for senior leadership by Glassdoor. We develop individuals, practices and teams by investing in our people with high quality training and CPD and investing in our clinics by providing the latest technology, equipment and facilities.

We work hard to foster a culture of warmth and belonging and to ensure every member of our team is fully supported and rewarded for the fantastic work they do. While we have a clear line management structure, everyone makes the tea at VetPartners.

The role

We are seeking an experienced Group Head of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) to join our group. This is a new and pivotal role aimed at developing and implementing a unified EHS strategy across our diverse and international operations. Reporting to the Group Director of Culture and People, you will lead the UK and Ireland Health & Safety team and provide expert guidance to EHS leaders in our other operating regions through a matrix structure. This includes collaborating with third-party contractors where applicable.

Key Responsibilities

-EHS Strategy and Implementation

• Develop and implement a comprehensive EHS strategy tailored to our highly distributed and diverse sites, ensuring alignment with the varying maturity levels of existing EHS systems.
• Standardise processes and systems across the group where feasible, while accommodating regional nuances.

-Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring

• Document EHS requirements across all operating countries and pro-actively monitor regulatory changes to maintain compliance with national and international obligations.
• Ensure new regulatory requirements are effectively communicated and integrated into group practices.

-Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Manage and mentor the UK and Ireland Health & Safety team, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Support and coach EHS leads in other regions, including those in dotted-line reporting relationships, to ensure cohesive implementation of EHS initiatives.

-Risk Management and Reporting

• Lead the development of accident reporting and data collection systems to identify risks and prioritise areas of focus.
• Utilise EHS metrics to drive continuous improvement and inform strategic decision-making.

-Cultural Transformation

• Foster a group-wide culture of EHS excellence, empowering teams to embrace compliance and safety initiatives confidently and consistently.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Proven experience in developing EHS strategies across Europe/EEC or equivalent multinational contexts.
• NEBOSH Level 6 or equivalent certification.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate and coach teams across direct and indirect reporting lines.
• Pragmatic, risk-based approach to EHS challenges, with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working across our operating countries or comparable international environments.
• Prior experience in the veterinary or healthcare sector.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the EHS landscape of a growing, international organisation. By driving compliance, cultural change, and operational excellence, you will play a key role in safeguarding our workforce and enhancing our reputation as a responsible, sustainable employer.

Practicalities

The role is offered on a hybrid basis, ideally with two days a week at our Central Support Office in York (UK) though we may consider other arrangements for the right candidate.

Right to work in the UK without sponsorship will be required, and there will be occasional European travel.

We expect to recruit the role with salary in the range £75,000 - £85,000, dependent on experience.

Apply via the link, enquiries via: Alastair Kay (Please apply directly - No agency submissions)