BHSEA welcomes first woman chair
Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association (BHSEA) is excited to announce the appointment of Marisa Firkins as its new Chair.
Founder and Director of Stafford-based Safety Forward Limited, Marisa succeeds Wayne Bishop of Speller Metcalfe, who stepped down at this year’s AGM after two years in the role.
With over 16 years’ experience as a respected health and safety professional, she becomes the first woman Chair of BHSEA in its history, marking a significant milestone for the Association.
Having worked across a diverse range of sectors, Marisa has helped many organisations across the region build safer, healthier workplaces through practical and people-focused solutions. Passionate about collaboration and meaningful connections, she believes that quality relationships are the foundation of effective health and safety outcomes.
Commenting on her new role Marisa said: “It is an honour to be appointed Chair of BHSEA and I very much look forward to working with members to strengthen our community, share knowledge, and support the next generation of safety professionals.
“Supporting early-career practitioners is something I’m very passionate about - whether that’s helping them develop technical competence, building their professional confidence, or simply being a sounding board as they grow. My goal is to create a welcoming and empowering environment where new voices in our profession feel heard, supported, and inspired to lead with confidence.”
As part of her role as Chair, Marisa plans to strengthen member engagement by creating inclusive, relevant events and discussions that bring the community together. And, she’s committed to promoting innovation and sharing best practices in health, safety, and environmental management, ensuring BHSEA remains at the forefront of the profession.
Trustees of BHSEA said: "As we celebrate Marisa’s milestone move to becoming the organisation’s Chair, we would also like to say a huge thank you to Wayne for his dedication over the past few years. He has worked tirelessly to boost awareness of BHSEA and its aims and to ensure our members’ voices are heard. We’re incredibly grateful to have benefitted from his knowledge, expertise, and passion for the industry.
“And, we’re thrilled that Marisa has agreed to take over this role. Her approachable, values-driven leadership style makes her a natural fit to guide BHSEA into its next chapter. Together, under her guidance, we can ensure the Association continues to be a vital, progressive force in the region and beyond."
Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association (BHSEA) is a not-for-profit membership organisation promoting the health, safety, welfare and wellbeing of working people and the organisations they work for. Through events, training, resources, and networking, BHSEA supports members in achieving compliance, reducing risk, and fostering a culture of safety across all sectors.
