Appointment of Head of HSE, Mining Organisation

At a Glance

• Sector – Mining
• Location – Perth, WA
• Workforce – 2,800 employees
• Service – HSE Recruitment – Executive Search
• Engagement – Retained Search

The Challenge

A mining organisation with 2,800 employees across multiple sites commissioned a board-level safety governance review that recommended elevating HSE to a genuine executive function with direct board reporting, rather than a department several layers removed from senior leadership.

Our Approach

Civitas ran the search targeting candidates with demonstrated board-level influence, not just deep technical safety credentials, the review had specifically flagged that the organisation’s safety leadership had never been tested in front of the board on due diligence obligations.

The Solution

The appointed Head of HSE brought over 18 years in mining and resources safety leadership, including prior board-reporting experience, and restructured safety governance reporting within the first quarter.

Measured Impact

• Formal board safety due diligence reporting established within the first 90 days
• Lost-time injury frequency rate reduced by an estimated 25% within 18 months
• Safety leadership structure standardised across all mine sites
• Positive outcome recorded on the organisation’s next regulator audit

Client Reflection

The board finally gets a real safety conversation, not a compliance summary. 

Why This Matters

Boards are increasingly aware that safety leadership quality is a governance issue under Australian WHS due diligence obligations, not just an operational one, this appointment shows what changes when HSE leadership is actually elevated to match that accountability.

Related Civitas Service

HSE Recruitment 

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