I am Ahmed Elidrisy, a Chief Sustainability and HSE Officer boasting 28 years of devoted experience in health, safety, environmental (HSE), and sustainability management. With credentials including PMP and ESG certifications, and the distinction of an IEMA fellowship, I take pride in my recognition by IOSH as a Chartered Safety and Environmental professional. My professional journey has been deeply embedded in the oil and gas and construction sectors, where I have spearheaded significant advancements in HSE management, training, and audits. Among my notable career highlights is the development of the ESG and Sustainability Framework for the Qatar Free Zone Authority, alongside receiving the accolade of Best HSE Manager for the Hamad Port Project in Qatar. Dedicated to enhancing health and safety standards, I am focused on nurturing sustainable organisational cultures through strategic innovation and effective process integration.

In 2023, my commitment to advancing health and safety within the Qatar Free Zone Authority led to significant achievements. I spearheaded the integration of advanced HSE KPI monitoring, utilizing Power BI for real-time tracking and decision-making enhancements. This initiative greatly improved operational safety and environmental stewardship. My innovative approach also extended to the development of specialized ISO 45001 and 14001 checklists and reporting mechanisms, ensuring comprehensive compliance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

A highlight of my contributions was the successful implementation of a centralized waste management facility within the petroleum sector, achieving a remarkable 50% reduction in landfill dumping. This project not only demonstrated my dedication to environmental sustainability but also showcased my ability to drive impactful changes in waste management practices.

Additionally, my leadership in health and safety was recognized through the Best HSE Manager Award for the Hamad Port Project in Qatar, underscoring my ability to uphold the highest standards of workplace safety and contribute to the project's success. Through these efforts, I have continued to champion health and safety initiatives, demonstrating a deep commitment to creating safer, more sustainable work environments.

In 2023, my introduction of a Power BI dashboard significantly bolstered health and safety management within the Qatar Free Zone, resulting in zero accidents and incidents through enhanced, evidence-based decision-making. This tool provided real-time data on safety metrics, enabling immediate corrective actions. Alongside this technological innovation, I spearheaded the development of an ESG framework to embed sustainability into business operations. I also initiated engaging health and safety awareness campaigns, such as traditional music and dance sessions and the introduction of the 'Morning Tea' concept, to facilitate daily safety discussions.

Moreover, serving as the former Chair of the IOSH Qatar Branch, I remained steadfast in advancing the health and safety profession. I delivered pivotal presentations on critical issues and mentored over 10 IOSH members, augmenting their expertise and aiding their progression to Chartered status.

These endeavours, from utilising advanced analytics for safety enhancements to nurturing professional growth within IOSH, epitomise my comprehensive approach to ensuring workplace safety, championing sustainability, and cultivating future leaders in health and safety. My initiatives underscore a dedication to excellence in establishing safer, healthier, and more sustainable work environments, propelling the health and safety agenda forward with innovative strategies and an unwavering commitment to continual improvement.

My capacity to influence and enact change has been instrumental in the successful execution of crucial health, safety, and sustainability endeavours within the Qatar Free Zone. Employing a collaborative leadership approach, I actively engaged stakeholders at every level, from executive leadership to frontline staff, nurturing a shared vision for safety and sustainability. This inclusive method facilitated effective communication regarding the strategic significance and advantages of each initiative, fostering a culture of collective ownership and empowerment.

For instance, the implementation of the Power BI dashboard was accompanied by extensive training sessions and demonstrations showcasing its impact on real-time decision-making. This comprehensive approach significantly increased the support and engagement of all staff members. Similarly, my advocacy for the ESG framework involved detailed discussions regarding its alignment with global standards and its potential to bolster our organisational reputation, thus securing endorsement and resources from executive leadership.

Furthermore, my influence extended beyond the confines of our organisation through mentorship within IOSH. Drawing upon personal experiences and evidence-based methodologies, I inspired and guided members towards attaining Chartered status. By illustrating the tangible benefits of these initiatives through clear, actionable insights and fostering an atmosphere of open communication and trust, I galvanised collective efforts towards our objectives of zero accidents and incidents, while also propelling progress within the health and safety profession.

My initiative to introduce a Power BI dashboard revolutionised the Safety and Health management landscape within the Qatar Free Zone, establishing a new benchmark for performance and accountability. This tool facilitated a dynamic, data-driven approach to identifying trends and potential hazards in real-time, resulting in significantly reduced response times to potential safety incidents and the prevention of accidents before they could occur. The dashboard's impact was profound, culminating in a year devoid of accidents or incidents, a milestone that underscored the efficacy of leveraging technology for safety enhancements.

Moreover, my endeavours in crafting an ESG framework seamlessly integrated sustainability into our operational practices, heightening our dedication to fostering a safe and healthy environment for both employees and the community. This comprehensive approach not only addressed immediate safety concerns but also instilled a culture of continual improvement and environmental stewardship.

Through mentoring IOSH members and advocating for health and safety beyond the confines of our organisation, I influenced a broader industry shift towards more stringent safety standards and practices. These contributions exemplified a commitment to safety and health management that transcended the ordinary, leaving a significant impact not only within the workplace but also across the broader community and industry. In doing so, they paved the way for a safer, more sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.

In my perspective, a safety influencer embodies qualities of leadership, innovation, and a profound commitment to nurturing a safety-oriented culture. They possess the capability to engage, educate, and motivate action across all echelons of an organisation or community. Leadership manifests through the foresight to envision a safer future beyond prevailing challenges. Innovation is demonstrated through the adoption of novel technologies or methodologies, such as the Power BI dashboard I implemented, which revolutionised our safety management processes. Commitment entails an unwavering dedication to safety excellence, viewing it not merely as a regulatory obligation but as a moral imperative.

I have exemplified these attributes by leading through example, persistently pursuing and implementing new knowledge and technologies to augment safety, and guiding others to enhance their safety competencies through mentorship. My initiatives regarding the ESG framework, inventive safety awareness programmes, and the successful reduction of incidents to zero through data-driven approaches illustrate how I have surpassed the expected duties. These endeavours, coupled with my active involvement in the broader safety community through IOSH, underscore my commitment to transcending the role of a mere safety manager, transforming into a safety leader and influencer. Consequently, I believe I am a fitting nominee for the WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award.