news / 20th Jan 2026

impact HR welcomes James Balding as head of health and safety

SECTION GUIDE

We’re delighted to welcome James Balding to impact HR as our new Head of Health and Safety.

James’ appointment marks an important milestone in the continued growth of our health and safety services and reflects our commitment to providing integrated, practical support that genuinely makes a difference for our clients.

Strengthening health & safety with real impact

James Balding brings more than 13 years’ experience in health and safety, working with organisations across construction, logistics, warehousing, engineering and early years childcare. He joins impact HR with a strong mix of technical expertise and real-world delivery experience, supported by professional accreditations including the NEBOSH National Diploma, CertIOSH membership, City & Guilds Manual Handling Trainer status and extensive experience as a CDM Principal Designer.

At impact HR, health and safety is not about box-ticking or generic documentation. James’ approach aligns closely with how we work — helping organisations put proportionate, workable systems in place that protect people, support leaders and stand up to scrutiny.

What James will be focusing on

As Head of Health and Safety, James will lead the development and delivery of our health and safety services across our national client base. This includes:

Health and safety consultancy and retained advisory support
Audits, gap analysis and compliance reviews
Safety culture and leadership assessments
Practical policies, risk assessments and safe systems of work
Toolbox talks, training materials and compliance checklists

A key area of focus will be further strengthening our construction safety offering. James will support clients with their duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, including acting as Principal Designer and helping organisations plan, manage and coordinate health and safety from project concept through to completion.

This work sits alongside our wider HR, wellbeing and employment risk support, enabling clients to access joined-up advice that reflects how people, safety and culture intersect in real workplaces.

Building safer, healthier workplaces

Commenting on joining impact HR, James Balding said:

“I’m really pleased to be joining impact HR at a time when health and safety is increasingly recognised as a leadership and wellbeing issue, not just a compliance one. I’m looking forward to working with clients to build safer, healthier workplaces through practical systems, engaged leadership and an integrated approach to wellbeing and stress management.”

Greg Guilford, Group CEO of impact HR, added:

“I’ve worked with James previously and know the value he brings. He combines strong technical knowledge with a pragmatic, people-focused mindset that fits perfectly with how we support our clients. His appointment strengthens our health and safety capability and reinforces our commitment to providing HR and health and safety support that delivers real impact.”
Part of a joined-up people and risk offering

impact HR operates nationally, with teams based across Essex, Leicester, Leeds and London. Our health and safety services sit alongside our HR advisory, employment law, wellbeing and people strategy support — giving clients confidence that their people, processes and workplaces are protected.

You can find out more about our health and safety services, practical resources and expert guidance across the impact Hub and the wider impact HR website.

If you’d like to speak to James or the team about health and safety support for your organisation, we’d be happy to help.

Specialist support when you need it Health & safety projects tailored to your organisation

Accident and Incident Investigations
Learn, improve and protect your business. impact HR’s Accident & Incident Investigation service helps employers uncover what really happened, identifying the route cause, take proportionate action and evidence compliance—so you prevent recurrence and strengthen safety culture.
Visit the Accident and Incident Investigations page
Workplace Inspections
See issues before they become incidents. impact HR’s workplace inspections offer employers a clear, practical view of what is working well and what needs attention—so you can reduce risk, evidence compliance and keep operations running smoothly.
Visit the Workplace Inspections page
Management Of Fire Safety
Protect your people, premises and reputation. impact HR’s Management of Fire Safety service helps the Responsible Person put robust, practical arrangements in place—from fire risk assessments and policy design to training, drills and compliance reporting—so you stay safe, ready and compliant.
Visit the Management Of Fire Safety page
Fire Risk Assessments
Protect your people, premises and reputation. impact HR provides employers with professional fire risk assessments that identify hazards, evaluate controls and set out clear, proportionate actions. Our tailored approach helps you meet legal requirements and keep employees, visitors and contractors safe.
Visit the Fire Risk Assessments page
COSHH Assessments and Control
Protect your team from hazardous substances and stay compliant with ease. impact HR’s COSHH Assessments & Control service you identify hazardous substance risks, implement proportionate controls and maintain clear, practical records that satisfy regulators and clients.
Visit the COSHH Assessments and Control page
CDM Compliance
Confidently meet your CDM obligations and keep construction work safe. impact HR’s Construction (CDM) Compliance service helps duty holders to plan, manage and monitor construction activities—protecting workers, meeting legal duties and satisfying clients and regulators.
Visit the CDM Compliance page

Start making your impact.

Whether you need day-to-day HR support, ad-hoc support or a long-term partner, we’re here to help.

Get in touch for a free initial chat — no pressure, just practical advice from people who get it.

0330 2369866
hello@impacthr.co.uk

Leicester: 6 St. Georges Way, 3rd Floor, St. George’s House, Leicester LE1 1QZ
London: 167 City Road, London EC1V 1AW
Leeds: Building 3, City West Business Park, Gelderd Rd, Holbeck, Leeds LS12 6LN
Essex: Halford House, 2 Coval Lane, Chelmsford, England, CM1 1TD

impact HR welcomes James Balding as head of health and safety

Strengthening health & safety with real impact

What James will be focusing on

Building safer, healthier workplaces

Part of a joined-up people and risk offering

Specialist support when you need it Health & safety projects tailored to your organisation

Accident and Incident Investigations

Workplace Inspections

Management Of Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessments

COSHH Assessments and Control

CDM Compliance

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