Portfolio
David Lissah
Chartered Manager (CMI) | IIRSM Vice Chair - Ireland |
30 years in operations, shop floor to boardroom
A Fractional Operations Specialist with Master’s-level qualification in Strategic Management & Leadership. I help organisations develop technical specialists into confident managers while reducing leadership, operational and compliance risk.
Last update: 29/01/2026
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Supporting Leaders & Teams
I support managers and operational leaders in regulated and high-pressure environments, helping them lead effectively under pressure. My work focuses on developing leadership capability, operational resilience, and judgement so teams perform without compromising safety, engagement, or compliance.
For CEOs, Operations Directors, HR Directors, and People Partners, the objective is clear: build future leaders who can navigate complexity, risk, and pressure with confidence.
I achieve this through mentoring, structured guidance, and reflective practice, helping managers understand how they show up under pressure and identify what they can do differently to lead with clarity and consistency. This approach naturally leads to practical tools and support, which are further embedded through programmes such as the Better Manager Programme.
Supporting managers to pause, reflect, and lead with intention.
A Journey of Leadership Growth
Ineffective management in regulated, high-pressure industries is rarely just a performance issue, it’s a risk issue.
Over my 30-year career, from starting on the shop floor in the early 1990s to senior roles across military, facilities management, engineering, and construction, I have witnessed how pressure, compliance, and human decision-making collide.
Time and again, the greatest risks haven’t come from lack of process or rules. They come from placing people into management roles without the preparation, support, or space to lead effectively.
Managers manage things, but lead people. When they are underprepared, mistakes happen, teams disengage, and operational and compliance risk increases. My work focuses on helping managers develop the qualities that matter most under pressure:
  • Judgement & decision-making
  • Consistency & accountability
  • Adaptability & resilience
  • Emotional intelligence & communication
These are the qualities that distinguish managers who perform when it matters most.
Areas of Focus & Expertise
I work across regulated and high-pressure sectors, helping organisations build operational leadership and resilient teams:
  • Healthcare, Safety & Environmental
  • Logistics & Supply Chain
  • Facilities Management & Construction
  • Manufacturing & Engineering
  • Legal & Compliance
I help managers lead effectively under pressure, ensuring teams remain engaged, compliant, and high-performing.
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
Lissah & Boyle
Apr 2025 to Present
Mentoring technical professionals and operational managers, helping organisations improve leadership capability, operational performance, and resilience under pressure.
IIRSM Ireland Vice-Chair (Non-exec)
IIRSM Ireland Branch
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
Professional Licences & Accreditations
Accredited Strengths Coach
Change Management Practitioner
Chartered Manager
Official IIRSM Partner
Life Outside of Business
When David is not working with business owners or mentoring future leaders, you’ll most likely find him with a canine friend by his side. He is a passionate dog lover and proud canine foster carer, providing temporary homes and a bit of extra love to dogs in need.
These moments away from the desk are the things that recharge David, keep him grounded, and a reminder why empathy and resilience matter just as much in life as they do in business.
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