Simon O'Connor Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Wirral, England, United Kingdom

As a strategic leader at Wirral Council, I drive organisational resilience and spearhead transformational change initiatives, focusing on proactive risk management, operational excellence, and long-term efficiency.Key Achievements:✓ Implemented a comprehensive audit and assurance programme, reducing non-conformances and improving operational efficiency.✓ Led a cultural shift in risk management, resulting in an increase in innovative practices while maintaining safety standards.✓ Developed and implemented robust health and safety policies, aligning with the Council's vision for long-term structural and financial efficiencies.✓ Successfully managed complex projects and change programmes, delivering improvements in service delivery efficiency.✓ Managed a substantial budget for resilience initiatives, achieving targets within allocated resources.Core Responsibilities:✓ Lead strategic business improvement initiatives, focusing on continuous enhancement and alignment with organisational goals.✓ Oversee complex projects enhancing service resilience, efficiency, and compliance.✓ Conduct detailed audits, compile comprehensive reports, and ensure timely resolution of non-conformances.✓ Implement risk assessment and stakeholder management strategies.✓ Provide expert health and safety guidance, reducing workplace incidents and promoting a culture of safety.✓ Ensure regulatory compliance while fostering ethical excellence.✓ Represent the Neighbourhoods Directorate at the strategic health, safety and wellbeing board, integrating considerations into decision-making processes.Leveraging my strategic planning and project management expertise, I drive transformational change that ensures our services meet regulatory standards while achieving long-term structural and financial efficiencies.

In my previous role as a Spot Check Officer within the Health & Safety Executive, I played a pivotal role in ensuring workplace compliance with COVID-19 safety regulations. My responsibilities included conducting regular, unannounced inspections to evaluate the implementation of safety measures. These inspections involved a thorough observation of the workplace environment and engaging in meaningful dialogues with employers to understand their safety measures, experiences, and concerns.Leveraging my findings, I provided expert guidance and support to employers and employees, aiding them in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. My role was instrumental in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within workplaces, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of employees.My key responsibilities included:- Conducting regular spot checks to assess the implementation of COVID-19 safety measures.- Observing workplace environments and engaging in dialogues with employers to understand their safety measures, experiences, and concerns.- Providing expert guidance and support to employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.- Playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within workplaces and ensuring the health and safety of employees.This role required a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of health and safety regulations. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that allowed me to significantly contribute to public health during a global pandemic.

Rumaila, Basra, Iraq

I was entrusted with the critical task of designing and implementing a comprehensive programme to ensure the security and safety of our personnel working in the Rumaila oil field. I served as the primary liaison for contracted and sub-contracted security services, fostering strong relationships and maintaining open lines of communication to ensure security measures were consistently aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.I collaborated closely with management teams and stakeholders to identify, report, and address compliance gaps. This proactive approach promoted a safe and secure work environment for employees and enhanced the protection of human and physical assets.My key achievements:- Pioneered and directed strategic oversight of security operations at multiple sites.- Collaborating with management teams and security providers to embed safety and security considerations into project planning.- Conducting audits and reviews to ensure contract compliance and high service delivery standards.- Developing and reviewing supporting policies, risk assessments, and procedures, thereby establishing a comprehensive safety system.- Serving as the primary point of contact for safety and security risks, guiding business units and corporate functions.- Implementing long-term mentoring strategies for security managers and their teams significantly reduced safety and security non-compliance observations.- Educating the organisation on security, risk, and safety best practices, ensuring our processes were aligned with current industry standards, trends, and innovations.- Design and implement mitigation plans to minimise risks to personnel, business losses, shareholder impact, and reputational damage.This role required strategic leadership, a deep understanding of safety and security compliance, and working effectively in a challenging environment. It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to significantly contribute to our operations.

Iraq

In my role as a Security Manager for Control Risks in Iraq, I was instrumental in supporting the Director of Security to ensure the safe, professional, and efficient delivery of security services for BP Iraq. With a strong leadership presence, I managed 44 armed protection teams and a substantial security force, strategically deploying resources in response to client needs and comprehensive security risk assessments. My approach was integral to upholding a secure environment and achieving client satisfaction.Key Highlights & Achievements:- Championed developing and managing over 300 multicultural personnel, establishing a standard of quality, innovation, and excellence in high-risk security settings.- Crafted and oversaw extensive security, emergency response, and travel protocols for operations in Iraq, including creating specialised training programmes.- Led incident management coordination efforts by liaising with third-party agencies, ensuring effective responses to high-risk situations.- Provided strategic vision and direction in formulating contingency and business continuity plans, reinforcing organisational resilience in volatile environments.

Iraq

In my tenure as a Close Protection Team Leader for Control Risks in Iraq, I was entrusted with the critical management and development of an armed protection team tasked with executing complex security operations in the volatile southern region of the country. My leadership extended to a diverse, multinational team, where I cultivated intercultural relationships and reinforced a robust safety culture through organisational procedures.My responsibilities included:- Conducting systematic risk assessments to evaluate potential threats associated with projected activities or undertakings, ensuring the safety of the team and the individuals under our protection.- Commanding and nurturing a multi-national team, fostering a collaborative environment that respects cultural differences and promotes mutual understanding.- Developing and implementing strategic security measures based on thorough risk analysis, contributing to the team's effectiveness in high-risk scenarios.This role demanded a high level of vigilance, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills to navigate the complexities of security management in a high-risk area.

United Kingdom, Europe And America

In my role as a Covert Surveillance Team Leader for The Surveillance Group, I was responsible for the strategic management and development of a covert surveillance team, executing intricate operations across the UK, Europe, and America. My duties encompassed a broad spectrum of surveillance expertise, including information gathering, foot and mobile surveillance, initial reconnaissance, and conflict resolution.Key responsibilities included:- Leading and developing a covert surveillance team, ensuring the successful execution of complex operations across multiple continents.- Conducting comprehensive surveillance activities, ranging from information gathering and initial reconnaissance to foot and mobile surveillance practices, ensuring the team was equipped to handle a variety of scenarios.- Planned, organised, and administered surveillance operations using diverse entry methods, which led to the successful completion of numerous operations.This role required a high level of discretion, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of surveillance techniques to ensure the successful execution of covert operations.

Plymouth, United Kingdom

During my service in the Royal Marines, I was part of an elite amphibious force renowned for its versatility, rapid response capabilities, and rigorous training. As a Royal Marine, I was trained to operate in a wide range of environments, from the heat of the desert to the ice of the Antarctic and in the densest jungles to the inhospitable Arctic. My role demanded adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, embodying the Corps' ethos of being the first to understand, adapt, respond, and overcome.I was involved in various operations that required a high state of readiness and the ability to respond quickly to global events. My time in the Royal Marines honed my skills in leadership, teamwork, and specialised military tactics, which were critical in dealing with manmade, humanitarian, and naturally occurring crises. The training I underwent is considered one of the most demanding in the military world, preparing me to face the most treacherous terrains and hostile environments.As a Royal Marine, I was also part of a storied tradition dating back to 1664, contributing to a legacy of projecting global power and safeguarding the UK's interests. The experience instilled a profound sense of duty, honour, and the importance of maintaining a strong, strategic mindset in every endeavour.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Master’S Degree, Security Management

Unit 1: Security Risk Management Unit 2: Physical Security/Fraud and Information Security Unit 3: The Management of Computer Related Crime.

A Levels And Gcses

A-Level Business Studies, Information Communication Technology, Travel and Tourism GCSE Maths, English, English Literature, Science.