Hugh Maxwell is an experienced international risk leader, dedicated to enhancing risk and safety awareness on a global scale. As an award-winning mentor and influencer, and a Fellow of IOSH and IIRSM, I support stakeholders in their pursuit of excellence in health and safety. I actively advocate for and promote the importance of enhancing health and safety, workplace behaviours, and culture across all levels of management, employees, and environments. I firmly believe that sharing knowledge is essential, and that each of us can contribute to making a sustainable, positive difference. Since April 2023, I have focused my efforts on developing others throughout Africa and Asia. I currently serve as the Managing Director of Maxwell Safety and Safety Key Africa Consultants Limited.

My achievements and contributions include leading the Anglo-American Africa cultural change programme, Safety Leadership Practices, the first cultural change programme developed within international mining. SHP named me as a top Health and Safety influencer. I continue to deliver webinars promoting best practices, personal development, and making major health and safety contributions. I chair the IIRSM Fellowship committee, supporting international Risk professionals in gaining recognition and trained additional international Assessors.

Additionally, mentoring female professionals in Safety for greater recognition, including achieving IOSH and IIRSM memberships at various levels and successfully gaining study bursaries. At least two of my mentees were awarded with places on the LOREAL bursary and other recognition for their efforts which will enable them to grow as health and safety professionals. Another high potential mentee is shortlisted for a prestigious safety award in Nigeria. Another mentee, recognised as a leading African influencer is shortlisted as 2024 IIRSM mentor of the Year finalist and named as a top woman in mining. I continue mentoring for IOSH and IIRSM. I remain an Avetta Fellow, NEBOSH campion and examiner - sharing knowledge and information and qualified as a Lumina Spark Practitioner, enabling me to implement this cutting-edge psychometric methodology.

I have dedicated monthly rotations to developing safety leadership and influencing all levels of miners and contractors, both above surface and underground, in their safety cultural advancement. This effort has resulted in a reduction in accidents and the support of Section 152 at the Amandelbult mine, making it the best performing section.

Being based in South Africa has allowed me to further focus on supporting, developing, and mentoring others in Africa, India, Asia, and developing communities during my free time. I coach and develop professionals in various topics including leadership, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Behavioural Based Safety, and workplace coaching and mentoring.

I consistently collaborate closely with numerous professionals in East and West Africa through the introduction of Safety Key Africa Consultants. This business is poised to grow as an African enterprise, initially established in Nairobi, Kenya (the East African hub) and soon expanding into Lagos, Nigeria (the West African hub) to elevate standards of HSE performance across and within Africa. Much of quarter 1 2024 was spent in Kenya, specifically devoted to developing this business and its people to foster the growth and support of a 100% African-managed enterprise.

With significant international leadership experience, I acknowledge that values, expectations, and motivators for people and cultures vary considerably. Effective influencing requires understanding these factors for your audience and striving to communicate the benefits in their progression and development. By engaging and exchanging information with the target audience, mutual respect, understanding, and trust can be cultivated. This is crucial for ensuring a positive outcome, regardless of the scale of influence or the identity of the target audience.

Viewing situations from the other person's perspective is vital for fostering honest, meaningful, and genuine trust and support, and for positively influencing behaviours in any environment. Despite possessing a strong technical background, my focus on influencing now encompasses a range of softer "people-centric" skills, empowering individuals to recognise their potential to effect positive changes and grow in areas that motivate and drive them.

Being recognised as an influencer, I continuously strive to develop and enhance this quality and skill to meet diverse stakeholder needs and achieve desired outcomes. Many successful influencing endeavours include management change programmes, employee engagement initiatives, and cultural transformation programmes, several of which I continue to support. Moreover, I aim to influence key individuals who can subsequently inspire others.

I endeavour to give back wherever possible, recognising that the new generations are the future. I believe that preparing them as best as possible is crucial for sustainable success and higher levels of safety. This approach allows me to maximise my impact on workplaces, communities, and the industry. I adhere to three simple rules – sharing is caring; every day is a school day, and nobody comes to work to get hurt. I exert effort both during work and in my free time to support the health, safety, and risk-related needs of others.

The impact of my work extends to supporting others in their careers, personal growth, and business development, enabling them to reach their true potential and contribute to a stronger health and safety future for themselves, their families, and others. One initiative of which I am particularly proud is the mental welfare of park rangers in Kenya. This initiative sheds light on the numerous mental welfare and wellbeing challenges faced by a significant representation of critical workers in Africa who often do not receive the recognition or support they deserve. My career and free time remain dedicated to positive health and safety influencing, coaching, and mentoring, ensuring that individuals do not come to work to be harmed, whether physically, mentally, or psychologically.

An effective Safety Influencer requires a range of adaptable attributes, including a genuine desire to support and assist others, along with the ability to listen, observe, ask open questions, and gain an understanding of the current situation and influences. I dedicate myself to comprehending the needs and expectations of those I aim to influence. By adopting the perspective and needs of others, I can develop a strategy or influencing plan.

Enhanced emotional intelligence, coupled with attributes such as respect, care, openness, honesty, and engagement, fosters mutual respect and trust, leading to stronger influencing relationships. I prioritise managing expectations, maintaining open and regular communication, building relationships, and fostering openness at all levels, even when language may initially pose a barrier. Patience is crucial, recognising that people and cultures perceive things differently, and being adaptable to change my approach and pace of delivery to align with their preferences and comfort levels.

Supporting stakeholders while enabling them to think and apply approaches that best suit their cultures and expectations is imperative. I remain committed to continuous improvement and learning as an influencer, constantly striving to evolve and become a better version of myself. That's why I believe you should vote for me.