Meet the Safety First Team

I founded Safety First Group with one clear purpose: to help businesses create safer, healthier workplaces while ensuring people return home safely at the end of every working day.

Since launching the business in 2016, we’ve grown into a trusted provider of Occupational Hygiene, Health & Safety, Fire Safety, DSEAR, Legionella and Compliance Services, supporting organisations across the UK and Europe. Throughout that journey, my focus has remained on building long-term relationships through honesty, integrity and exceptional customer service.

As Founder & Group CEO, I’m passionate about developing our people, embracing innovation and continually raising the standards of what we deliver. I believe health and safety should never be seen as a box-ticking exercise, but as an investment in people, performance and business success.

Outside of work, I enjoy fitness, music, personal development and entrepreneurship. The discipline and resilience they’ve taught me have shaped my leadership style and the culture we’ve built at Safety First Group.

Family is my greatest motivation, and I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the trust our clients place in us. As we continue to grow, our commitment remains simple: delivering expert advice, outstanding service and helping businesses protect what matters most – their people.

Certified Occupational Hygienist and Legionella Control expert with many years of experience in these fields.
Licentiate for the faculty of Occupational Hygiene, British Occupational Hygiene Society (CertOH, LFOH).
Member of the Water Management Society (A.WMSoc).

I’ve supported thousands of business’s from SMEs through to large blue chip corporations. Provided services nationally and internationally, across a vast range of industries in the private and public sector.

Today I’m the co-founder, major shareholder and Managing Director of Safety First Group. Offering comprehensive assessments, monitoring, consultancy, training, equipment hire and product services in Occupational Hygiene, Legionella Control, Environmental, Health and Safety. We are a respected and trusted provider of turnkey services in these fields. Everything we do is driven by our belief that Safety always comes First!

Andy Whitehead is an experienced occupational hygienist and LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) specialist with 18 years of experience in workplace health and safety. As the Operations Director of Safety First Group, he plays a vital leadership role in designing, implementing, and overseeing occupational hygiene and LEV programs aimed at protecting employee health and ensuring regulatory compliance. Over nearly two decades, Andy has developed deep expertise in assessing workplace exposures, evaluating LEV systems, and advising on practical controls to reduce airborne hazards. His hands‑on approach helps organisations across various industries build safer work environments.

Andy is also an Associate Member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), reinforcing his commitment to professional standards, continuous learning, and staying current with best practices in hygiene and ventilation.

Luke Butler is a seasoned sales and technical professional with deep experience in occupational health, hygiene, and safety management. In his role as Sales Director at Safety First Group Limited, Luke leads client engagement, strategic partnerships, and the development of safety-focused service offerings, drawing from both his industry knowledge and consultative sales expertise.

In addition to his sales leadership role, Luke is an Associate Member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), reflecting his technical involvement and background in occupational health and safety. This association underscores his capacity to navigate both commercial and technical aspects of workplace hygiene and safety.

Leanne Dooley is the HR Advisor and Office Manager at Safety First Group, joining the company in early 2018, the same year that the group expanded its team to include key roles.

In her role, Leanne brings structure, clarity and professional warmth to daily operations. She oversees all human resources functions and the administration team—managing everything from recruitment, employee onboarding and HR processes to office logistics, supplier coordination and team welfare. Her contributions ensure that Safety First Group runs smoothly both for its clients and its internal team.

Leanne is an associate member of the CIPD, holding a Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. She regularly undergoes continual professional development activities to meet regulatory requirements and demonstrating commitment, personal and profession growth and competence.

Paul Johnson is the Environment, Health & Safety Manager at Safety First Group Limited, bringing over 25 years of expert leadership in workplace safety, environmental compliance, and health management across diverse industries. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH), Paul is a recognized authority on DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) and has extensive experience in implementing robust safety systems tailored to high-risk environments.

Known for his hands-on approach and strategic insight, Paul has successfully designed and led numerous risk control initiatives, safety audits, and emergency response frameworks that have significantly reduced incidents and improved safety culture within organizations. He also plays a key role in regulatory compliance, ensuring that Safety First Group stays ahead of evolving legislation and best practices.