Fresh Perspectives and a Shared Purpose

Date: 03/07/25

As our consultancy continues to grow, we’re keen to welcome talented, forward-thinking professionals who bring expertise, fresh insights and a genuine commitment to helping create spaces where people and the environment thrive.

We’ve recently welcomed Asbestos Consultant Matt Bailey and Principal Health and Safety Consultant Rachel Wetherill to our team, two outstanding additions who combine technical excellence with a people-focused approach. We caught up with them to reflect on their first few months with us, explore what attracted them to their roles, and understand more about what they hope to achieve for our clients. 

Matt, what led you to a career in health, safety and environmental consultancy, and what continues to motivate you in this industry today? 

My introduction to the world of health and safety came through industry connections who piqued my interest in the field. When an opportunity to enter the industry presented itself, it resonated with me both personally and professionally, as I've always been passionate about people's wellbeing. Since joining iON Consultants, I've become part of a team of like-minded professionals whose culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing enables me to make a meaningful impact every day. 

Rachel, we were particularly impressed by your background in both corporate and regulatory settings. We work with a wide variety of clients, from SMEs and non-profits to larger, more complex organisations. How do you see your experience helping them get the most from their health and safety strategy, both in terms of compliance and long-term impact? 

My experience gives me a 360-degree view of health and safety. I understand the perspective of the regulator, but I also appreciate the day-to-day realities and pressures organisations face when trying to comply with legislation. Having seen health and safety in practice across a wide range of environments, I can help my clients, regardless of size or sector, to develop a proportionate framework that is both compliant and has people at its heart.  

Ultimately, both regulators and consultants want the same thing: for people to go home after a safe day's work. My role as a Principal Health and Safety Consultant at iON is to help make that happen in a way that fits each organisation's culture, resources and goals. 

Matt, as an asbestos consultant, what are some of the biggest misconceptions you come across in your work? If you could share one key message with clients about effective asbestos management, what would it be? 

As an Asbestos Consultant, one of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is the belief that asbestos isn't an issue unless it's disturbed. Many people are often surprised to learn that not all undisturbed materials are truly safe. Over time, degradation can lead to the release of deadly fibres, and this microscopic threat poses very serious health risks. In the workplace, a reactive mindset that waits for problems to occur rather than taking a proactive, measured approach can be very costly. 

It's important for duty holders to understand that asbestos management isn't solely about compliance; it's about prevention. Ensuring contractors are informed and correctly trained to spot the risks of asbestos are crucial steps to keeping everyone safe and avoiding costly mistakes. My advice is to be the change you want to see in the industry. 

Rachel, you’ve only had a short amount of time to get to know our customers, but what common challenges have you already identified, and how are you helping them navigate them to deliver better health and safety outcomes? 

A common challenge I've encountered throughout my career in health and safety, and not just at iON Consultants, is the fact that systems are overly complicated and difficult to maintain. Too often, once procedures and risk assessments are in place, they're left to gather dust or become so complex that people disengage from them entirely. 

As a consultant, my job is to help businesses cut through that complexity and prioritise the areas most at risk, making health and safety both manageable and meaningful. It's not about ticking boxes; it's about creating systems that work in practice, not just on paper. 

Matt, how do you ensure the safety advice you give is also practical and sustainable in real-world environments? 

I'm always curious to understand the environment, its occupants, and the day-to-day operations that take place within it. Drawing upon this information enables me to make recommendations that are practical and sustainable. Clients can feel safe in the knowledge that any solutions we provide aren't just short-term but built for the future. 

Rachel, if you could change one thing about how health and safety is viewed, what would it be? 

When I tell people what I do, they invariably groan, which is such a shame! Contrary to popular belief, we're not clipboard-wielding, finger-pointing bureaucrats! In reality, we're very approachable and want to help ensure that work is carried out safely to protect people from harm. So, if you run a business and need health and safety support, please get in touch! We're human, we're friendly, and we're here to help you get it right first time. 

Matt, what excites you most about the projects or customers you’re working with now? 

I’ve grown to appreciate working with clients who are proactive and progressive in their approach to asbestos management. It’s rewarding to see awareness grow and to help build safer environments on client projects, not just for compliance, but because people genuinely care about doing the right thing. 

Rachel, what does a truly safe and thriving workplace look like to you? 

It all starts with a strong, positive culture and one that’s owned at the very top. When leaders actively role model safe behaviours and genuinely care about the well-being of their teams, it sets the tone for everyone else.  

Equally important is keeping health and safety simple and practical. When procedures are clear, proportionate and easy to follow, managers and colleagues are far more likely to engage with them. Health and safety should never feel like a barrier; it should simply feel like a natural part of how we work. 

Matt, what makes our approach different from other SHEQ consultancies you’ve encountered? 

We provide genuine impartiality and integrity in everything we do. We’re fully focused on providing clear, honest and objective advice to our clients. We help our clients build competence and confidence in managing their own SHEQ responsibilities, rather than creating dependence. It’s a level of transparency and client empowerment built upon the foundations of trust and collaboration. It’s super refreshing and, in my experience, extremely rare in the industry. 

Rachel, what attracted you to iON Consultants, and how does our mission, be free to love work, resonate with you? 

As soon as I read the job description, I knew iON would be a great fit for my values and approach. The focus on protecting people and the planet, being trusted, and providing pragmatic advice to clients really resonated with me. 

I’ve genuinely enjoyed my first few months with iON. I haven’t had that dreaded Monday morning feeling since joining! Meeting clients and visiting sites keeps things fresh, and the weeks really do fly by.  

I’ve also felt incredibly supported from day one. There’s a real culture of openness with no judgement, even when asking what might feel like silly questions, though we all know there’s no such thing! In our field, it’s actually risky to think we know everything, so a culture of curiosity and humility is essential.  

iON’s mission to be free to love work isn’t just a tagline. It's something I’ve experienced firsthand. It’s why I’m excited to be part of the team, delivering people-focused work in health and safety. 

With this Q&A, we're sure you can see the invaluable experience, knowledge and passion Matt and Rachel bring to our growing team. If you're inspired by their perspectives and want to be part of a consultancy that values people and the environment, we'd love to hear from you. 

Read more insights here.