Keith Gibbs

Consultant

A customer centric, commercially focussed Head of HR and Programme Manager with more than 20 years’ experience. Strong relationship skills; proven ability to deliver business and organisational change through people with a passion for safety improvement.

An experienced and qualified coach, mentor, mediator and facilitator, with an ability to connect and develop highly effective relationships. A proactive listener who engages and challenges with empathy whilst driving for behavioural change.

A Fellow of the CIPD who practices a share and grow mantra, which enables others to reach their potential and celebrate success.

Believing and living the maxim “Mens sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body” and can often be seen wearing lycra climbing, cycling and competing in triathlons.

Experience:

Projects & Engineering

As Head of HR for IP Track I developed and led the HR Strategy/People Plan focussing on engagement through performance, talent management and the development of a proactive Corporate Social Responsibility strategy delivering tailor made business solutions. Key deliverables included:

Leading organisational restructures and operating models from concept, design, consultation to implementation and delivery.
Programme managed the TUPE Insource of the AMEYColas High Output Joint Venture – 512 employees transferred with 51 contractors novated.
Managed and led Trade Union consultations and discussions including, dispute resolution and negotiated new contracts with RMT for fully mobile workers with c80% take up.
Migration of Plain Line and Switches & Crossing contracts to an alliance model with 86% of contractors TUPE to new employer.
Health and Wellbeing programmes developed and delivered including both physical and mental health. Reduced duration of mental health absences by c30% over 3 years with overall absence reduced by 16%.
Developed training programmes that contributed to improved safety performance: 58% reduction in LTIFR & reduced overruns by 75% with Sword of Honour & Globe of Honour awarded by British Safety Council.
Championed employee welfare to wellbeing across supply chain and industry leading to a more inclusive and engaged workforce including the development of the Mobile Expandable Wellbeing Unit. (MEWU)
Led Corporate Social Responsibility with over 1000 days of volunteering undertaken across 2 years and winner of CIPD Award for best skills-based volunteer programme.

Safety & Assurance

As Programme Manager for the national Safety Task Force, I led the People and Culture workstreams to drive improvement in track worker safety. This included:

A reduction in near miss events of over 70%, an increase of 2 million hours between near misses, a reduction of over 10 000 (52%) competencies held with safer ways of working now the norm across the industry.
Led Trade Union Consultation and mitigation of avoidance of dispute regarding the introduction of new technology.
Reduction of circa 10% in day working to reduce signaller workload and enable safer ways of working.
Facilitated industry research programme with RAIB and Leicester University to explore Track Worker Behaviour and Nottingham University to explore the effects of shift working on long term health.
Establishment of the Safety Task Force with a resource pipeline and team of associates.
Culture & engagement strategy developed to include health & wellbeing, diversity & inclusion, local community programmes and volunteering.
Recognition from the British Safety Council, British Construction Industry and Association of Project Management.

I have contributed and supported various safety validation panels including “Putting Passengers First” Fair Culture panels and safety investigations, i.e. Eastleigh

Training & Development

As a qualified coach (ILM Level 7) I have provided coaching and mentoring both internally and externally across a range of levels, businesses and professions.

I have facilitated and led programmes including Behavioural Safety, Resilience, Management & Leadership skills.

Working with training providers I have managed the relationship acting as client, SME and sponsor throughout the training life cycle – identification, tender, design, delivery and evaluation as well as designing and delivering training in house.

A confident speaker, I have presented at the Permanent Way Institute (PWI), external conferences and exhibitions sharing best practice and leading on the improvement of safety and welfare across the industry.

I regularly volunteer as a STEM ambassador and currently support a local school as an enterprise advisor