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.
With over 30 years’ experience across military, facilities management, engineering, construction, and higher education, I’ve seen first-hand how operational pressure, compliance demands, and human decision-making collide, and how leadership quality ultimately determines outcomes.
My work focuses on strengthening operational performance through three key areas: people, process, and performance.
People – developing leadership behaviours, clarity, and accountability
Process – ensuring ways of working are practical, consistent, and aligned
Performance – creating visibility, discipline, and meaningful measurement
I don’t approach operations from a systems or technical perspective. I focus on the human side of operations, how people think, act, and make decisions in real-world environments.
My approach is deliberate and diagnostic. I take the time to understand how your business actually operates, identify where gaps exist, and address the root causes of underperformance.
I don’t believe in rebuilding systems for the sake of it. I make the systems you already have work, by aligning people, process, and performance.
I don’t see risk as purely technical. In my experience, it is behavioural and cultural. When leaders understand this, organisations become safer, more resilient, and more effective.
As Vice Chair of IIRSM (All Ireland), I am also committed to advancing the profession and supporting leaders in navigating increasingly complex operational environments.
If you’re looking to strengthen performance, build resilience, or create an operational culture that actually delivers in practice, I’m always open to a conversation.
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:
  • Healthcare, Safety & Environmental
  • Logistics & Supply Chain
  • Facilities Management & Construction
  • Manufacturing & Engineering
  • Legal & Compliance
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
📞 Call/Text: 0203 576 0081 / 07709 115948 | 📧 Email: Hello@lissahandboyle.co.uk