IOSH
IOSH CEO Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher announces departure
- Date posted
- 29 October 2026
- Type
- Press release
- Author
- Marcus Boocock
Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher has announced that she will leave IOSH as its Chief Executive at the end of January 2027.
Vanessa has been with IOSH for over nine years, first as its Director of Professional Standards, progressing to become its Chief Executive in 2021. Vanessa will move to become Group CEO of a nationwide not-for-profit organisation concerned with social housing procurement.
Vanessa’s new role marks a return to the procurement sector for her and will draw on her experience as a trustee for the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Vanessa said: “I’m incredibly proud of my time at IOSH. It’s been a real privilege to work with so many dedicated professionals among our membership, volunteers, and staff teams.
A profession built on caring for others and getting people safely home from work has never been more vital. IOSH members save lives and make a positive difference to the productivity of their businesses. And they often do this with humility and without fair recognition.
And as the world of work continues to transform rapidly, and new challenges and potential and real harms emerge, the expertise of qualified health and safety professionals is more valuable than ever – and IOSH has a vital role to play in championing this.”
Anthony Blackman, Independent Interim Chair of the IOSH Board of Trustees, reflected on Vanessa’s contribution.
Vanessa has overseen significant modernisation and landmark developments during her tenure. Working as a collaborator and connector, Vanessa has helped to strengthen our membership offer through an enhanced competency framework and CPD scheme, introducing new membership grades, a new IOSH Magazine, and mentoring platform. IOSH’s influence has also grown under Vanessa’s steer. Achieving Ofqual approval of IOSH as an Awarding Organisation and the launch of our Level 3 and 6 qualifications. Achievement of Commonwealth accredited organisation status, and being recognised with special consultative status to the United Nations’ ECOSOC, have both given IOSH, its members and the OSH profession an active voice on the global stage.
Anthony Blackman
- Job role
- Independent Interim Chair
The search for our next Chief Executive will commence shortly, overseen by the IOSH Board of Trustees.
Last updated: 29 October 2026
Marcus Boocock
- Job role
- Senior External Affairs Manager
- Company
- IOSH