Chris Lea

Chris Lea has a strong background in health, safety, and environment (HSE) management. Their most recent role was as the SVP and Global Head of Health, Safety & Environment at Evotec. In this position, they were responsible for leading the company's HSE vision, strategy, and plan. Chris managed a team of approximately 40 professionals across multiple sites and countries. Prior to this, Chris worked at UCB as the Director and Head of HS&E & Wellbeing, where they led the HSE&W strategy for UCB Early Solutions and oversaw various safety programs. Chris also held the position of Head of HS&E and Risk Management for UCB's UK operations, where they focused on achieving a world-class culture of care and wellbeing. Before joining UCB, Chris served as the Head of Environment, Health & Safety at Patheon, where they had strategic and operational responsibility for all EH&S systems in the UK. Chris was also the global lead for Risk Management for the EH&S corporate function. Chris began their career at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as the Head of Non-clinical Risk Management, where they managed risk and safety systems for staff, visitors, and patients.

Chris Lea has a diverse education history. In 1993-1996, they obtained a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of South Wales. Following that, in 1996-1997, they pursued an MSc in Environmental, Health & Safety Management from the same university. Moving forward to 2010-2011, they received an International Certificate of Risk Management from the Institute of Risk Management. In 2011, they attended the Leadership Foundation Training for a brief period. Later, in 2012, Chris completed the ISO 14001 Lead Auditor program. Recently, starting in 2017 and expected to continue until 2024, they have been enrolled in the PG Cert Psychology (MSc programme) at the University of Derby. Additionally, in 2021, Chris pursued Mental Health First Aider training from MHFA England.