We are delighted to welcome Stuart Chamberlain to HPP as our new Health and Safety Officer.
Stuart joined us at the beginning of 2020, and if there was ever a 'baptism of fire', this year has been it! Stuart has been instrumental in getting HPP operational again after the lockdown earlier this year. Coming into a new job, with a new company would be challenging enough but throw a global pandemic into the mix and it's enough to give most health and safety professionals sleepless nights. Stuart not only rose to the challenge but has continued to develop, monitor and adapt our COVID-19 policy across the Oldham and Sheffield sites, whilst learning how HPP and its staff function as a business.
Stuart, aged 40, has a background in distribution, warehousing and production line environments including supervisory, internal auditing and health and safety roles.
He joined HPP after spending 22 years with Rochdale-based Brian Clegg Educational Projects, which supplies art and craft products, furniture and toys to education and retail sectors in the UK and overseas.
Stuart said: "Through my experience in previous roles, I've got a broad understanding of procedures, of how individual businesses operate differently and of the different industrial governing bodies.
"I've got experience in internal auditing linked to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) standards. I have also worked on COSHH regulations (control of substances hazardous to health) and with small engineering teams. I hope to bring my experience and ideas to HPP but also develop further with my new colleagues."
Since joining HPP, Stuart has been working closely with various departmental managers, reviewing activities including procedures, documentation and housekeeping. Stuart has also been working with Purchasing Director Alan Bolton, getting involved with internal auditing roles including, amongst other things, activities linked to the timber industry and Forestry Commission.
He also has some training planned which is linked to the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). This is an independent examination board which provides vocational qualifications in health, safety and environmental practice and management.
Speaking about his new role, Stuart added: "HPP is a good company with a strong reputation. Staff seem very on-board with the company's plans and ambitions, and there are plenty of opportunities. It'll be good to contribute to the developments here. I'd been aware of HPP for many years but I didn't realise just how big the business was until I arrived."
Stuart was looking for a new career following his decision to take a redundancy offer at Brian Clegg last year. Following his redundancy, he received advice on training and job opportunities through the Get Oldham Working service.
He also attended the Oldham Jobs Fair, which was held at Queen Elizabeth Hall last autumn and organised by Oldham Council and Get Oldham Working. The jobs fair was attended by local employers, job seekers and people looking to switch careers.
At the event, Stuart visited the HPP Careers stall and spoke to our Marketing & Business Development Director, Dan Mounsey and HR Manager Carole Hamnett-Sadler.
Stuart said: "I recognised Dan from my days at Saddleworth School. We had a chat and Dan sent me some information about careers. I then sent my CV to HPP, was invited for an interview and then offered a role, which was great."
Stuart grew up in Delph and now lives in Watersheddings, Oldham. He is a member of Saddleworth Golf Club and has played golf since his early 20s. He also enjoys martial arts and is a member of Saddleworth Jiu Jitsu Club, run by his cousin Nick Horton. Stuart is ranked a second degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu.
