David Lissah
Vice Chair - (IIRSM) International Institute of Risk and Safety Management - All Ireland Region | Business Operations Specialist | Partnering with Senior Leadership Teams | Chartered Manager (CMI)
Last update: 29/01/2026
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Supporting Leaders & Teams
I work with senior leaders and managers to turn underperforming teams and operations into safe, engaged, and resilient units.Drawing on my background as a safety compliance specialist and operational leader, I work with boards and executive teams to improve performance and embed risk-aware cultures that drive long-term organisational success.Starting my career on the shop floor in the early 1990s, I’ve worked across multiple environments including military, facilities management, engineering, and construction, progressing into senior leadership roles. Through this, I’ve seen how operational pressure, compliance demands, and human decision-making all collide, and how leadership quality ultimately determines outcomes.I focus on helping leaders and managers see risk through a behavioural and cultural lens, not just a technical one, because it’s people, not process, that ultimately determine performance.
Professional Credentials
I hold a range of professional qualifications and accreditations, which I maintain and keep up to date. They reflect my experience and commitment to strong leadership and safe, resilient operations. More importantly, they give me the foundation to guide and mentor technical specialists so they can perform with confidence and clarity in complex, regulated environments.
Chartered Manager Status
Recognising a high level of professional competence and commitment.
Master's Level
Strategic Management & Leadership expertise at an advanced academic level.
NEBOSH Qualified
Certified in Occupational Health and Safety, crucial for regulated industries.
Strengths Coach
Accredited to help individuals leverage their unique strengths for leadership growth.
Areas of Focus & Expertise
I work across regulated and high-pressure sectors, helping organisations build operational leadership and resilient teams:
Leadership Scale and Impact
Across my 30-year career, I have led teams and projects in environments where operational excellence, compliance, and safety are critical. Key metrics include:
132
Team Size
Successfully led teams of up to 132 personnel across diverse operational environments.
£10.5M
Budget Managed
Leadership responsibility for substantial operational budget allocation and optimisation of up to £10.5 million.
£150M
Project Scale
Contributed expertise on projects from minor works <£1million to major capital schemes of circa £150 million.
£1Billion
Property Portfolio
Responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance across large property portfolios valued up to £1Billion, from administration offices to Cat 3 UK Home Office Licenced Research Laboratories.
Current Roles
Fractional Operations Specialist
Apr 2025 to Present
Partnering with operational leaders and managers to strengthen leadership behaviours, build resilient teams, and improve operational performance through practical, human-focused solutions.
IIRSM Regional Branch Vice Chair - (Non-exec)
Sep 2024 to Present
Bridging global strategy with members’ real-world experience. Advocating for leadership that is practical, inclusive, and rooted in decision-making under pressure.
Selected Previous Roles
Group Head of Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance
Capital City College · Contract
Jun 2021 - Dec 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos
Associate Director of Safety & Assurance
King's College London · Full-time
Jan 2009 - May 2021 · 12 yrs 5 mos
UK & Regional Facilities Manager & BCP Co-ordinator
Kleinwort Benson · Full-time
Dec 2007 - Dec 2008 · 1 yr 1 mo
Facilities Manager
City St George’s, University of London · Full-time
May 2003 - Dec 2007 · 4 yrs 8 mos