Case Study: Specialist Construction Expertise to support Scottish Water’s Supply Chain

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Case Study: Specialist Construction Expertise to support Scottish Water’s Supply Chain

Posted on 17 September 2025

Background

Scottish Water engaged us to source a high-level Health and Safety Construction Consultant to work with their leadership team.

Scottish Water was undertaking a comprehensive review of its supply chain, aiming to improve standards and relationships with construction subcontractors. The role demanded an expert in the construction sector who could lead this strategic initiative.

The Challenge

Scottish Water required a specialist who could effectively communicate and implement a health and safety vision across its supply chain. This involved engaging stakeholders, influencing decision-making at the design phase, and driving health and safety to the forefront of strategic discussions.

The Solution

We placed a Chartered Health and Safety professional with 27 years of experience - they made an immediate impact by:

  1. Integrating into the leadership team to help assess subcontractor performance

  2. Providing expert insights to embed safety as a core priority in procurement

  3. Supporting the strategic review of the supply chain

The Results

The placement delivered significant outcomes for Scottish Water, including:

  1. Enhanced health and safety standards across the supply chain.

  2. Strengthened relationships with subcontractors through improved collaboration.

  3. Development of actionable insights and strategies for long-term cultural improvement.

  4. Broader benefits to the organisation’s health and safety function, extending beyond the immediate project.

Why us?

This case study demonstrates our expertise in placing top-tier health and safety professionals into interim and contract roles at short notice, enabling clients to address urgent challenges with confidence.

Contact us

To discuss how we can support your health and safety requirements, please contact Tom Hewat. Tom specialises in placing interim and contract professionals into organisations across the UK.

Email: tom.hewat@irwinandcolton.com

Phone: 01923 432637

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