Claudio’s Q&A

How did you come to work for Macro Group?

I worked for years in the hospitality industry, first as a maintenance engineer before moving to front of house. Then in 2013 when Macro (then part of Mace) posted the advertisement looking for front of house professionals with some health and safety experience, I thought it was a match for what I had been doing. I was successful in the interview and started as a duty manager at the Emirates Air Line (now IFS Cloud Cable Car), responsible for the management of front of house operations and some health and safety responsibilities.

What opportunities have you had to progress?

When I was working on the cable car, my managers were keen to give me more health and safety experience, I was given more duties and completed my Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Management of Working at Heights, National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Certificate.

In 2015 I was approached to work as a compliance manager on one of our technology accounts, responsible for 13 countries across Europe. I supported the roll-out of our processes and procedures to the whole account, not just for our employees but for the client team too.

Then in 2017, I was approached by the QHSE director, who suggested I should apply for the regional health and safety manager role in North America, where I am today.  

How can an FM company support a client’s health, safety and wellbeing requirements?

In my region, we look after a very diverse portfolio; from financial institutions, that are office based with low risks; to oil and mining, manufacturing, ship building and technology with a more high-risk type of operation.

The idea is to support these clients in understanding the risks associated with their operations and help them implement measurable objectives, policies and procedures to create a safe and healthy workplace environment where their employees are able to excel and do what they do best, but safely.

What skills do you need to get into the industry?

I think as long as health and safety in the workplace is your passion, the quickest way to get into the profession is to complete an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), IOSH or NEBOSH Certificate, depending on your regional jurisdiction; then I would say take a formal qualification or NEBOSH Diploma. These steps will open lots of doors within the industry.

I have additionally completed Lead Auditor training, and OSHA training, and in 2019 I was accredited Safety Management Specialist by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) in the USA.

What’s your proudest moment been at Macro Group?

There have been a few really. When I was based at one account and managing the QHSE in 13 different countries, I implemented our health and safety management system to overcome barriers like, language, culture, different regulations and requirements, bringing everyone together from both our business and the client team with a vision to create a safe workplace environment.

But by far, my proudest moment has to be passing the BCSP accreditation exam here in America.

If you hadn’t got into this line of work, what would you be doing?

I always wanted to be a pilot, flying commercial jets and taking people on holiday was my dream.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I should be on The Great British Bake Off - my Victoria sponge is the best you’ll ever taste!