Case Studies

As one of Britain’s top venues hosting over 500 events each year, the NEC understands how to put on a fun and exciting show. It also understands health and safety.

As NEC events manager Emily Burkes explained, the industry is highly competitive and so being customer focused is extremely important. She told us: “In the past the attitude may have been ‘oh that’s going to be too difficult so let’s just say no’. Now we say almost anything is possible, let’s just see how we can manage it safely.”

Of course as well as keeping its customers happy, the NEC has a huge responsibility. It has 186,000 square metres of indoor space, 20 interconnecting halls, 34 specialist conference and meetings suites and a huge arena on site. This means many thousands of people, including employees, occupy its space on an almost daily basis. Their safety is paramount.

The NEC has a specialist safety team, but like a growing number of organisations it also sees the value of having other managers qualified in health and safety. As a result, all events managers there, such as Emily Burkes, are required to hold a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and a NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management. The NEC has also recently been accredited by NEBOSH to deliver certain NEBOSH courses itself.

The role of events manager is extensive. Once a contract has been signed with a client; the NEC events manager steps in to ensure that the event runs smoothly. A big part of this is health and safety. While clients are expected to take ownership of safety issues, the events managers are there to help, offering guidance and spotting any issues in advance or which may arise on the day.

“I think we’re more respected by being NEBOSH qualified, particularly when working with organisers on site who bring in their own safety representatives,” said Emily.

“The qualifications also help you to spot more potential problems and give you the tools to deal with them properly. I believe we are more knowledgeable and more effective with it. There’s a lot to deal with here - traffic, rigging, catering, cleaning, pyrotechnics, stunts, all kinds really.”

Emily has a degree in Geography. She followed this up with a Masters in Applied Research and Consultancy, mainly because she was interested in project management. Even before her final dissertation she landed the role of events manager at the NEC. She is very suited to the job and thoroughly enjoys the diversity and the challenge of meeting deadlines and being part of the delivery of popular shows and exhibitions.

She also found taking and passing both of her NEBOSH qualifications “incredibly enjoyable”, although she admits she found some of the legal elements a little tough.

She added: “There’s health and safety in everything now and I think you can apply a NEBOSH Certificate to any role. All industries require health and safety and with NEBOSH behind you, you know you’ve got a good standing, as well as something that makes you more employable and opens up all kinds of diverse opportunities.”