Case Study: Grainger PLC - Director of Health and Safety

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Case Study: Grainger PLC - Director of Health and Safety

Posted on 13 November 2025

​​Our Client

Grainger PLC is the UK’s largest listed residential landlord and a FTSE 250 property company.

With a multibillion-pound build-to-rent portfolio across the country, Grainger operates from regional hubs in Manchester and Newcastle.

The Background

Grainger PLC looked to appoint a Director of Health and Safety to lead the transformation of its safety strategy across a diverse and high-risk residential portfolio.

The role required a senior leader with deep technical expertise, experience in real estate, and the ability to influence at board level. The position required weekly travel between Manchester and Newcastle.

Our Approach

We applied our Executive Search methodology, combining deep sector knowledge with a research-led process. We...

  1. Conducted briefings to understand strategic goals and cultural fit

  2. Mapped the market across residential property and infrastructure sectors

  3. Assessed candidates via structured interviews and benchmarking

The Outcome

We successfully placed a seasoned safety leader with extensive experience in residential property, infrastructure, and complex stakeholder environments.

The appointment has driven innovation in compliance and introduced forward-thinking safety leadership.

  1. Innovation in Compliance: Introduced blended data metrics and digital tools to enhance performance visibility.

  2. Strategic Influence: Provided thought leadership on the Building Safety Act and future regulatory trends.

  3. Portfolio-wide Impact: Strengthened safety culture across 200,000 homes and 3,200 sites nationwide.

Why Us?

At Irwin and Colton, we understand that executive hiring is about more than just qualifications; it’s about finding leaders who can shape culture, drive performance, and deliver long-term value.

Our Executive Search service is tailored, discreet, and built on deep industry insight and a robust, research-led approach. Whether you're hiring for a board-level role or a critical leadership position, we act as a trusted partner, bringing clarity, confidence, and expertise to every stage of the search.

For support with Executive Search recruitment, please contact us.​

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