Martin Isles

BSc, MSc, CGeol, FGS, FIAT, HonFIQ

Director/Owner, Martin Isles (Salterns) Limited

With an honours degree in geology, Martin gained a masters by research into concrete technology, before joining the quarrying & asphalt arm of George Wimpey Plc for whom he worked 22 years in a variety of senior production, commercial, technical, health, safety & environmental roles across the UK, continental Europe and in the Middle East.

In 1996, he joined the forerunners of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) for whom he rose to become “Director, Health and Safety” (2006–2013), representing over 90% of the UK quarrying and mineral products industry, with nearly 500 member companies. Having relinquished this full-time position in mid-2013, Martin now acts as part-time Health & Safety Special Advisor to the MPA whilst continuing to chair the European Aggregates Association (UEPG) H&S Committee in Brussels, drawing members from over 30 countries.

Founder of www.safequarry.com back in 2005, Martin is the foremost exponent of the UK’s “Safer by Design” initiative launched in the UK in 2009, expanding its international uptake across Europe and beyond. With 41 years industry experience, Martin has amassed invaluable experience communicating high-level practical health & safety issues to audiences in many parts of the world.

A Board member of the HSE-chaired Small Business Trade Association Forum, Martin also relishes his role as Vice-Chair for RoSPA’s National Occupational Safety & Health Committee. Winner of the RoSPA “Distinguished Service Award” in 2011, Martin collected RoSPA’s “SME Assistance Trophy” the following year.

Past-President of The Institute of Quarrying, UK (2010-2012), Martin lately chaired the bipartite EC Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee Extractive Industries, in Brussels, as well as acting for many years as the lead industry representative on the Britain’s tripartite Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee.

In 2014, Martin took on the role of Judge for the new H&S Awards Scheme for the Industrial Minerals Association (Europe), in addition to acting as a Judge for the prestigious MPA Health & Safety Awards Scheme, which he has organised every year since 1996.

June 2014