In this powerful episode of The Safe Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Mark Wilson, HSE and Operations Director at Offshore Energies UK, for an honest and inspiring conversation on leadership, wellbeing, and the ripple effect of positive change. From giving up alcohol and caffeine to rising through the military ranks, from private soldier to major, Mark shares how personal choices and professional integrity shaped his journey into the energy sector.

Together, they explore what authentic leadership really looks like, why creating a culture of care matters, and how the power of positivity can transform safety and performance in high-risk environments. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode offers practical wisdom and real-world insight into what it means to lead with humility, purpose, and impact.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Simon Burwood, Partner at ERM and co-founder of Engineering Safety Consultants. From taking apart his mum’s iron as a curious child to leading cutting-edge safety work across biosafety, renewables, and AI, Simon shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He reflects on the transition from traditional industries like oil and gas to the fast-evolving landscape of technical safety, highlighting the need for innovation, adaptability, and systems thinking in modern engineering.

The conversation dives into Simon’s unexpected path to entrepreneurship, his commitment to inclusive recruitment, and why diversity and psychological safety are essential to effective leadership. With insights on everything from job ads to artificial intelligence, Simon’s story is a powerful reminder that the future of safety lies not just in process and compliance, but in people, culture, and continuous learning.

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Martin Cottam, Chair of ISO Technical Committee 283, for an in-depth conversation on how international standards can drive cultural change in workplace health and safety. With a career spanning over four decades in nuclear, marine, oil and gas, and major hazard industries, Martin shares how he transitioned from a technical safety background into global leadership in standardisation. He reflects on the evolution of ISO 45001 and its related standards, including the groundbreaking 45010, which addresses menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause in the workplace, challenging long-standing taboos and advocating for inclusive design in occupational health and safety systems.