British Safety Council appoints former Shell VP as new Chair
Posted By Editor on December 15, 2010
Lynda Armstrong, who spent more than 30 years working for a worldwide petrochemical company, has been appointed chair of the British Safety Council.
Lynda Armstrong, who spent more than 30 years working for a worldwide petrochemical company, has been appointed chair of the British Safety Council, taking over from Nina Wrightson who has stepped down after four years in the role.
Lynda spent her working life with Royal Dutch Shell working on a variety of assignments around the world, including operational and management roles in oil and gas exploration, petroleum engineering and production.
Her most recent position was technical vice president, leading a global technical advice and study organisation, with centres in the Netherlands, USA, UK, India and Qatar.
Commenting on her appointment, Lynda said:
“Having worked in an operational environment for 35 years safety has been my top priority and I felt I could bring my own perspective to the role of chair, drawing on my wide and varied background with a large and complex multinational organisation.
“The British Safety Council has an exciting range of opportunities and its charitable work, particularly the education of young people in health and safety awareness and best practice, is fantastic.”
Julie Nerney, British Safety Council chief executive, said:
“We are very lucky to have Lynda on board and I am pleased to be working with her in support of our vision that no one should be killed, injured or made ill by their work. The tough economic climate, changing perceptions and greater scrutiny, including the Young review, brings new challenges and Lynda’s expertise will be invaluable as we strive to further raise standards and save lives.”
Lynda’s previous assignments included new business development director for Shell UK and exploration director for petroleum development Oman. She also led several business improvement and restructuring programmes to enhance operating performance and has extensive experience of managing operations in a safety critical industry.
As well as being a champion of women in the offshore business, Lynda is a member of the industry board for the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, which encourages women to take up a career in engineering, science or technology and stay in that career. Lynda, who was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to the oil and gas industry, became a trustee of the British Safety Council earlier this year and took up the position of chair of the board of trustees on 26 October.
The British Safety Council is a registered charity with a mission to support a safer, healthier and more sustainable society. Its range of initiatives, such as free health and safety qualifications for school children, is supported by revenue-generating activities centred on membership, training, audit and qualifications.
For further information or a photograph of Lynda, please contact Philip Powell, head of communications, on 020 8741 1231, or mobile 07909 874737. Email: philip.powell@britsafe.org
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