Health and Safety Recruitment
We match you with the best health and safety professionals for your business
Connecting the best Health and Safety talent with leading employers since 1986.
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35+
Years in business
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10,000+
Candidates placed
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3500+
Clients worked with
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96%
Satisfaction rate
Leaders in our field
Principal People is a leading UK-based Health and Safety recruitment organisation equipped with over 35 years of experience. Having worked closely with the industry over the last three decades, we’ve loved seeing a positive and progressive change of attitude towards safety culture.
However, there’s still a long way to go. That’s why our goal is to continue supporting this progressive change by passionately connecting organisations with health and safety professionals and HSE specialists spearheading the cultural shift.
We do this by creating meaningful connections with both employers and job seekers, offering hiring advice in the niche market, recruiting on behalf of organisations, and supporting the future generation with their Health and Safety careers.
Struggling to find the right Health and Safety professional, or don’t know where to start?
Don't worry, we get it.
Health and Safety is a very small niche, and looking for a professional who fits the bill and aligns with your culture under time pressures can become a tiresome task, especially if you haven’t done this before. Not to mention the time it takes to advertise the role, scour through stacks of resumes, and facilitate endless interviews, only to realise the shortlist of candidates just isn’t right.
However, there is a better way, and that’s where we come in.
By working with us, you have instant access to our dedicated team of health and safety recruiters and experts, who are driven by a genuine passion for the industry. With a combined 50+ years of experience recruiting health and safety professionals, they are well-seasoned in making your hiring experience as hassle-free as possible.
Say goodbye to recruitment headaches and say hello to streamlined Health and Safety hiring.
2024 Health & Safety Salary Survey
Where we specialise
We're truly specialists
What sets us apart is our ability to understand your unique and industry-specific requirements when recruiting Health and Safety professionals. Whether you're a construction company that needs professionals skilled in working at heights, a manufacturing company that requires COMAH experience, or even an infrastructure business that needs ground-work expertise, we can help.
Whether you're a seasoned hiring manager or you're new to recruiting, our team of dedicated recruitment specialists is here to guide you every step of the way and make the process easy, timely, and seamless.
Why use a specialised Health and Safety recruitment agency?
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Save Time
Streamline your health and safety recruitment process with our tailored approach. We make hiring simple, saving you valuable time and resources when finding the right talent and allowing you to focus on what you do best.
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Leverage Experts
Backed by over thirty years of HSEQ industry experience, our health and safety recruitment specialists have in-depth knowledge and are well-versed in the intricacies of Health and Safety recruitment.
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Gain Insights
Working with a specialist within the industry allows you to gain access to market trends, salary benchmarks, and emerging talent pools within the HSEQ sector and stay ahead of the curve.
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Integrate Seamlessly
We ensure a smooth and seamless transition for new hires into your organisation with our comprehensive offer management, onboarding assistance and ongoing support services.
Looking to hire the following Health and Safety roles?
We're here to help.
✅ Health and Safety Coordinator
✅ Health and Safety Consultant
✅ Health and Safety Advisor
✅ Health and Safety Manager
✅ HSE Manager
✅ Safety Specialist
✅ Health and Safety Specialists
✅ Head of HSE
✅ Health and Safety Director
✅ Head of Health and Safety
✅ Head of Safety
Our tried, tested and trusted recruitment process
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Specification and Talent Attraction
It all starts with a friendly introduction to our team and an initial specification call, allowing us to dive deep with your hiring managers and stakeholders, understanding your nuances, timescale, expectations, and ideal candidates. From there, we'll set about attracting the right talent using affecting role marketing strategies, engaging the right people at the right time, in the right way.
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Screening and interviewing
Once we’ve successfully marketed the role and received interest, the last thing we’d do is throw those CV’s over the fence and hope for the best. It just isn’t our style. Instead, we pre-qualify all of our candidates by conducting a thorough 30-45 minute interview with our team. This way, you’ll feel assured that we are committed to only shortlisting the best and most suitable candidates for your role.
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Offer management and transition
We'll then thoroughly prepare candidates for the employer interview, emphasising techniques like STAR and providing detailed post-interview feedback. During the next stage, we ensure candidate commitment before finalising an offer and candidates are assisted to ensure a smooth transition. After placement, we'll check in with you and the new hire to gather feedback and provide support.
Case Study: Quick hiring for a business in need
When one of the UK’s leading logistics organisations approached us to help source their new Health and Safety Manager it came with a very tight deadline - “yesterday”.
We knew we had to act quickly and deploy an effective role marketing strategy to attract the right candidates who match our client's specifications.
Under pressure and with a unique set of requirements, we set about helping to do what we know best. See how we rose to the challenge.
How we've helped others
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Very professional company. I have had the best experience working with Lauren Alsop, who has been dedicated and honest throughout the entire recruitment process. She was very thorough and helpful - not just during my interviewing process with my current employer, but she has also been very supportive after my employment. Definitely deserve a five star!! 🌟
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Best recruitment experience ever! True professionals. I was contacted by Lauren for a job opportunity and she managed the whole recruitment process for me from A to Z. The support and information provided by Lauren was excellent. I would highly recommend Principal People to anyone.
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Noah from Principal People was an absolute star. He hasn't been with the business long, but his overall attitude and communication are brilliant. He found me a new role very promptly, and was very professional during the whole process. I can't help but offer great feedback to his boss Zac as well. I would recommend Noah, Zac and Lauren for their services. That said I am sure this reflects back on PP as a whole and the professionalism and pride in what they do. Thank you so much guys!
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I honestly have to say that the interview support process was one of the best that I have ever experienced, from the initial preparations and ongoing support through the selection phases the whole thing felt like a supportive environment resulting in a more relaxed interview and ultimately a job offer. would highly recommend.
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My experience with principal people was second to none. Will was very thorough, understanding and informative. I believe his drive and determination secured me my role. Although I’m happy in my new position, I wouldn’t hesitate to use principal people in the future. Thanks Will! I owe you one!
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You're in good company
Looking for answers?
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How long does the process take?
The average time from our initial discussion to offer management is just 6 weeks. You can continue your busy day-to-day duties while we find the best fit for your vacancy. To see our full process in detail, check it out here.
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What makes you experts?
We have over 35 years of experience placing the best HSEQ talent into businesses like yours. Our consultants have gained extensive industry experience and market knowledge from working on niche vacancies across various sectors.
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Why should I trust you?
Our 4.8/5-star reviews speak for themselves. We believe recruitment is all about people and building relationships, not a one-time transaction. We’re proud of our long-lasting connections with our clients and candidates. Some of which date back 20 years.
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Why should I work with a specialist, not a generalist?
A specialist health and safety recruitment company focuses on specific industries, roles, or skill sets, whereas a general recruitment agency deals with a wide range of job types. Specialist agencies have deep industry knowledge, dedicated attraction strategies and strong candidate networks, making them experts in finding the right candidates for specialised positions. Our reputation ensures credibility and trust with both businesses and job seekers but also shows our commitment to the industry as we keep up with hiring trends and practices.
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What industries/divisions do you cover?
We work across H&S, Quality Assurance, Environment, Suitability and ESG. We also have specialist consultants across Contract & Interim, Manufacturing, Transport, Logistics Construction, Infrastructure, Public Services, Corporate Services and Executive Search.
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What size companies do you work with?
We have worked with businesses from FTSE100 to family-run SME’s. No role is too big or too small for us to help with.
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How can I find the right Health and Safety professional for my business?
Working with a specialised Health and Safety recruitment agency gives you access to expert recruiters who understand the industry. We tailor the search to your specific needs, using our network and experience to find candidates that fit both the technical requirements and cultural values of your organisation.
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Why should I use a Health and Safety recruitment agency?
Using a specialised Health and Safety recruitment agency saves time, resources, and ensures you're matched with qualified candidates. Our team is experienced in navigating the complexities of health and safety roles, providing a streamlined process that includes screening, interviews, and onboarding support.
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What does the Health and Safety recruitment process involve?
Our process includes an initial consultation to understand your requirements, followed by talent attraction, pre-screening interviews, and a shortlist of candidates. We manage everything from offer negotiations to ensuring a smooth transition into your organisation, supporting you every step of the way.
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How do you ensure candidates are qualified for health and safety roles?
We conduct thorough pre-qualification interviews, where we assess candidates’ qualifications, experience, and fit for your specific health and safety needs. Our recruiters are industry experts, ensuring that only the most suitable professionals are recommended for your role.
Health and Safety Insights
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- Health and Safety
- Environment and Sustainability
HSE Learning Summit: An Energising Dive Into Health, Safety, and Leadership
22 October 2024
Last week, I attended the HSE Learning Summit, and I have to say, it was genuinely a thought-provoking experience, so I wanted to share my experience of the two-day event.
Read more -
- Health and Safety
- Job Seekers
- Employers
Controlling and Working with Substances that are Hazardous to Health
2 September 2024
Many people will be familiar with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, or COSHH. This is because substances are regularly used in many businesses, and many can be harmful to health. Where this is the case, COSHH applies.
Read more -
- Health and Safety
- Employers
The importance of fire safety in the workplace
25 August 2024
Fires can happen at any time and can affect any business. As an employer, you're responsible for the safety of workers.
Read more -
- Health and Safety
- Employers
- Recruitment Tips
7 tips for onboarding a new Health and Safety employee
20 June 2024
Understandably, it can be hard to navigate the hiring market, let alone onboarding the ideal candidate once they have secured the role.
Read more
Contact us
Use the form below or call on 01252 759 162. We look forward to hearing from you. All enquiries are answered as soon as possible.