Breedon appoint Joe Docherty as Group Head of Health and Safety

Joe Docherty has been appointed as Group Head of Health and Safety, bringing extensive cross-sector experience to the role and strengthening the organisation’s long-term commitment to safeguarding its workforce and stakeholders.

Docherty joins from Amey, where he developed broad expertise across health, safety, wellbeing, environmental and quality functions. His career has spanned multiple industries and operational settings, including complex, safety-critical environments, giving him a comprehensive understanding of how effective governance and strong leadership can drive lasting cultural and operational improvements.

In his new position, Docherty will lead the delivery of the organisation’s five-year, Group-wide health and safety strategy. The programme is designed to enhance standards, embed consistent best practice and further integrate safety considerations into every aspect of business operations — from strategic planning through to frontline delivery.

The strategy places particular emphasis on ensuring that health and safety is not treated as a standalone function but is embedded within leadership behaviours, decision-making processes and day-to-day operations. Docherty is expected to play a central role in reinforcing this approach, helping to build a culture in which safety and wellbeing are fundamental to performance rather than compliance-driven obligations.

With experience in high-risk and operationally diverse environments, Docherty brings a pragmatic understanding of the challenges faced by teams delivering services on the ground. Throughout his career, he has championed proactive risk management, strengthened reporting frameworks and promoted visible leadership engagement in safety initiatives. His track record includes driving continuous improvement programmes and fostering collaboration between operational and corporate teams.

A key focus of his new role will be ensuring that risk management principles are embedded at the earliest stages of project development and operational planning. By strengthening assurance processes and improving the consistency of safety standards across the Group, the organisation aims to create a more resilient and forward-looking framework for managing health and safety risks.

Docherty’s remit also extends beyond traditional safety management. His background in wellbeing and environmental disciplines reflects the increasingly holistic nature of modern health and safety leadership. This includes addressing mental health awareness, sustainable operational practices and environmental stewardship, alongside physical safety considerations.

Industry expectations around safety, environmental performance and governance continue to evolve, with clients and regulators seeking evidence of measurable improvement and strong leadership accountability. Docherty’s appointment signals a continued investment in these areas, positioning the organisation to meet rising standards and maintain robust oversight of performance across all operations.

Central to the five-year strategy is the ambition that every employee returns home safe and well each day. Achieving this objective requires more than policies and procedures; it demands engagement at all levels of the organisation. A culture that encourages openness, shared responsibility and early identification of risk is seen as essential to delivering meaningful and sustained improvements.

In the coming months, Docherty is expected to work closely with senior leadership teams and operational managers to assess current performance, identify opportunities for enhancement and align local initiatives with strategic objectives. This collaborative, data-led approach aims to ensure that safety improvements are both practical and measurable, supporting long-term resilience and performance.