David Lissah
Chartered Manager (CMI) | IIRSM Vice Chair - Ireland |
30 years of operational experience, shop floor to boardroom
A Fractional Operations Leader with a Safety Compliance specialist background, I help organisations develop technical specialists into confident managers, strengthening leadership and reducing operational risk.
Last update: 29/01/2026
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Supporting Leaders & Teams
I support technical specialists 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 in building future leaders who can navigate complexity, risk, and pressure with confidence, clarity and purpose.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:
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 experienced how pressure, compliance, and human decision-making collide.Time and again, the greatest risks haven’t come from lack of process or regulations. 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:
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
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
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