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The 2025 SHiFT Conference

On 3rd April 2024, we held our second SHiFT Conference, at the Heart of England Events & Conferencing Centre in Fillongley, Coventry. Nearly 300 people attended the event, where we had a variety of very interesting and informative presentations.  Our exhibitors for the event are listed below.

 

Morning Session | Afternoon Session

SHiFT Safety Award Winners

At the conference we presented the SHiFT safety awards to the winners. Our thanks to all of the people who made nominations, the standard was very high making the judging very difficult. The winners of the awards were

The Rising Star Award

Oliver Mullen of Netomnia award presented by Lesley Barr of Smart Awards.

This award is to commend a person early in their career who has exhibited great energy, drive and dedication to improving safety. A future Fibre Health & Safety leader.

Oliver Mullen joined Netomnia 2 years ago as an entry level candidate with zero experience in the H&S field, 2 Years on and he has achieved his NEBOSH General Cert. In this short period of time, he already shines – He has quickly established himself as an innovative leader in H&S. His proactive approach to identifying and mitigating safety risks, alongside his commitment to fostering a culture of safety, has already made a significant impact in Netomnia. His dedication, passion, and forward-thinking mindset make him an ideal candidate for this award.

Highly commended in this category were Louis Gates of Openreach for his dedication to improving contractor safety through collaboration and Dickon Payne of Welsh telecom for putting in place robust policies, procedures, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with CDM regulations within his organisation

Best Safety Innovation or Project in Fibre Telecoms Award

KKC Utilities Ltd – represented by Scott Humes presented by Jonathan Mee & Vicky Chadwick Directors of SHiFT

This award is for the individual or team that has most challenged the status quo and developed an innovative product or approach that improves health and safety in fibre.
KKC Utilities Ltd won for innovating in the telecommunications industry with hydrovac excavators to safely and efficiently excavate for telegraph pole installation and to also expose underground utilities without the risk of causing damage to underground services.

Highly commended were OGI for their last mile training programme which included safeguarding training for engineers.

Most Influential In Fibre Health and Safety

Richard Leeding of OGI award presented by Paddy Paddison of INCA

This award is for the person who has been most influential in terms of improving health and safety standards across the Fibre Industry in 2024.

Richard Leeding won for his exceptional contribution to the delivery of a high-capacity infrastructure project on the motorway and trunk road network, working with governments and the streetworks authority on innovative solutions that hadn’t been tried before to set new standards for the industry.

Highly Commended in this category was Todd Hallam of Gigaclear for driving forward the SHiFT CDM working group forward.

Special Recognition Award

Alan Trueman

This year we also had a SHiFT Special Recognition Award presented to Alan Trueman former chair and founder of SHiFT for his contribution to safety in the fibre telecoms industry through the establishment of the SHiFT Group and his leadership and dedication as chair of the group over the last 3 years. The award was presented by Rob Kelly the current chair of SHiFT.

Fibre Contractor Safety Culture Award

MJ Quinn represented by Rob Mahon presented by Max Sholl & Mel Worrall Directors of SHiFT

This award is for a contractor who has demonstrated significant commitment towards improving their health and safety culture.

MJ Quinn were the winners in this category for their commitment to safety which is evident through their year-round “Hearts and Minds” behavioural change workshops, their “Working at Height” safety campaign and introducing Life Saving Rules and continual focus on safety.

Nano Fibre Ltd were highly commended for incredible improvements in safety culture over the last year, with their actions which are visible on the ground.

Gallery

Exhibitors