9:30 am - 10:00 am (GMT+4)

Registration and networking

10:00 am - 10:15 am (GMT+4)

Welcome

Becky Hickman, Chief Executive Officer (RoSPA)
RoSPA CEO Becky Hickman brings over 20 years of experience and a strong communications background to shaping a distinct, sustainable approach to safety. Drawing on global case studies, she highlights the power of raising organizational and supply chain standards through recognition and celebration. Becky’s message is simple but profound: by nurturing a culture of safety beyond the workplace, organizations can spark deeper engagement and inspire lasting behavioural change—laying the foundation for a safer, more sustainable future for all.

10:15 am - 10:45 am (GMT+4)

From compliance to commitment: The evolution of HSE leadership in the GCC

In this keynote speech, Dr Waddah will explore how the HSE landscape in the GCC is being reshaped by evolving regulations, national visions, and global best practices. The session will examine the shift from compliance to culture, highlighting how organisations can embed safety and sustainability at their core. Attendees will gain insights into the critical role of leadership, the importance of strong governance and strategy, and the future integration of ESG, technology, and innovation in driving long-term resilience and impact.

10:45 am - 11:30 am (GMT+4)

Dubai Municipality's OSH vision: Healthy workplaces, safe communities

This session will explore Dubai Municipality’s strategic approach to advancing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) across workplaces and communities, ensuring the highest standards of wellbeing, safety, and sustainability. The discussion will highlight how OSH policies, enforcement, and innovation contribute not only to safer working environments but also to healthier, more resilient communities.

Chair:
Ibtehal Hamed, International Consultant (RoSPA)

Panelists:
- Dr Maryam Bin Essa, Studies & Systems Section Manager in Health and Safety (Dubai Municipality)
Dr. Maryam Bin Essa has over 12 years of experience in regulatory compliance, risk management, and safety leadership. She has led transformative initiatives including Environmental Health Guidelines, the Ideal Salon Initiative, Health & Safety Radar, and IoT-enabled smart safety and robotic inspection systems, positioning Dubai as a global leader in health, safety, and technology-driven solutions.
- Dr Ahmed Fathi Elsandoby, Senior Beach Safety Officer, Public Beaches & Waterways Management (Dubai Municipality)
An accomplished hospitality, spa, and safety management leader with over a decade’s international experience across luxury resorts, water parks, and public beaches. Skilled in operations, safety oversight, and wellness program development, leading teams of 100+ in high-profile environments. Currently Senior Beach Safety Officer at Dubai Municipality, driving safety excellence across 10 public beaches and waterways.
- Dr. Aissam Bouadjel, HSEQ Head (Fujairah Oil Industry Zone) and NEBOSH representative
With over 20 years in global oil and gas, Dr Bouadjel drives safety, sustainability, and digital transformation. A NEBOSH trainer and examiner, he advises regulators and advances Net Zero goals globally.
- Fiona Liddell, Head of Safety and Risk Management (Serco Middle East)
Fiona champions HSE and worker welfare across the Middle East. With a naturally optimistic “yellow” DiSC profile, she oversees ERM risk policies and a Risk-Based Assurance Programme, drives Serco’s Ethics & Compliance Programme, and partners with service providers to deliver training, workshops, and forums on ethics, compliance, and safety.

11:30 am - 11:45 am (GMT+4)

Coffee break

11:45 am - 12:15 pm (GMT+4)

Climate resilience and worker wellbeing: Adapting to extreme heat, flooding and environmental hazards

Alba, one of the world’s largest aluminum smelters outside China, achieved health and safety excellence through strong leadership, robust controls, and alignment with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and carbon neutrality goals. Alba’s measures ensured zero summer heat illnesses for nine years and effective COVID-19 response, showcasing environmental resilience.

Mr Mohamed Khalil Alsaeed, Director Safety, Health, Fire and Security (ALBA)
Since joining Alba in 1997, Mr. Mohamed Khalil Alsaeed has played an instrumental role in developing the organisation's standards, operating procedures and training programmes relevant to safety, health and environment. He is currently a key driver of major organizational initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the use of renewable energy, industrial waste management, and GHG emission capture projects. 

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm (GMT+4)

Panel discussion | Women in Safety

Join leading voices in safety as they explore the challenges, achievements, and future pathways for women in the profession. This panel will spotlight inspiring stories, practical strategies, and the importance of inclusive leadership in shaping safer workplaces for all.

Chair:
Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer (NEBOSH)

Panelists:
- Dr Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental and Public Health Department, College of Health Sciences (Abu Dhabi University)
Dr. Ajaj is an authority on environmental sciences, sustainability, and climate change, with 20+ years’ experience across academia, nuclear regulation, and petroleum councils. Formerly a Health Physicist at the UAE nuclear regulator, she is a prolific researcher and policy leader, heading a UAE climate research cluster and holding senior roles in global sustainability and renewable energy networks.
- Prarthana Dsouza, Service Delivery Manager (STS Group)
As a transformative leader, Prarthana Dsouza, STS Group’s first female Service Delivery Manager, oversees 1,540 personnel. With more than a decade of QHSE expertise, she has advanced safety culture, mentored NEBOSH achievers, championed inclusivity, introduced breast cancer screenings, tailored risk assessments for new and expectant mothers, safeguarded 98,000 students, and supports mental health—transforming safety into a life-changing value.
- Doha Mattar, Regional EHS Director (PepsiCo AMESA)
Doha is a seasoned EHS leader with two decades of experience driving transformative EHS agendas across the Food & Beverage industry. As an EHS Director, she excels in crafting compelling EHS strategies, influencing stakeholders, and guiding business leaders on critical EHS decisions across diverse geographies, enhancing safety culture, business continuity, and operational excellence. Doha brings a powerful voice to the panel — advocating for bold leadership, compassionate governance, and the courage to care deeply for people’s wellbeing.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (GMT+4)

Networking lunch

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm (GMT+4)

Human Capital in motion: Road risk in the OSH sustainability agenda

This talk highlights road risk as a critical yet underrecognized element of OSH sustainability. With driving for work a leading cause of fatalities, integrating road safety into sustainability strategies protects workers, strengthens resilience, and delivers commercial and societal value. Case studies show the transformative impact of leadership, technology, and systems-based approaches.

Becky Hickman, CEO (RoSPA)
RoSPA CEO Becky Hickman brings over 20 years of experience and a strong communications background to shaping a distinct, sustainable approach to safety. Drawing on global case studies, she highlights the power of raising organizational and supply chain standards through recognition and celebration. Becky’s message is simple but profound: by nurturing a culture of safety beyond the workplace, organizations can spark deeper engagement and inspire lasting behavioural change—laying the foundation for a safer, more sustainable future for all.

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm (GMT+4)

Panel Discussion | Protecting your fleet drivers: How investing in safe driving standards reduces occupational road risk

Explore how leading organisations are reducing occupational road risk through investment in safe driving standards. The panel will highlight the role of leadership, technology, and behavioural change in protecting fleet drivers and transforming driver safety, with real-world insights from those who are building a safety-first culture across high-risk transport operations.

Chair:
Penny Brooks, Driver Qualifications Portfolio Manager (RoSPA)
Penny has been involved with learning and development in the field of driver training for 18 years. She qualified as a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor in 2003, quickly moving into fleet training and then into the design, delivery and assessment of driver training programmes, working with drivers and trainers in the UK and overseas.

Panelists:
- Mr Jamil Kharoudeh, (ADNOC)
Jamil, a visionary HSE leader with nearly 20 years’ global experience across the Middle East, Australia, and Europe, is Manager of ADNOC’s Group HSE High-Risk Transport. He oversees land, marine, air, and rail safety, pioneering in-vehicle monitoring systems (IVMS), active fatigue and distraction detection (AFDD), and exposure-based metrics. Known for authentic leadership, he empowers teams, drives governance, and advances sustainable risk management and performance excellence. His career is defined by a strong commitment to protecting people and the planet, while enabling organizations to thrive in complex, high-risk environments.
- Dr David Marsh, PDO RSB Contract Manager (Dareen Global)
Dr. David Marsh is a road safety professional with over 25 years of experience. His career has evolved from hands-on driver instruction across all vehicle types to leadership roles in fleet training, behavioural-based driver education, trainer development, and project management.
- Mr Eugene Mayne, Founder and Group CEO (Tristar)
Mr Mayne founded Tristar in 1998 and under his leadership the group and its entities have grown to become Middle East’s largest privately-owned energy logistics solutions provider with operations in more than 30 countries spread across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Americas, and Europe. He has been listed among the Top 25 most influential logistics executives in the Middle East for seven consecutive years by the ITP Media Group. Mr Mayne is a Board member of the local UAE network of the UN Global Compact and the Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai.  

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm (GMT+4)

Building a culture of safety: Leadership strategies for high-risk industries 

 This session will explore leadership strategies that cultivate a culture of safety and care within high-risk industries. Dee will share practical approaches, real-world examples, and emphasise the pivotal role senior leaders play—not only in driving compliance, but in embedding a culture of care to improve safety outcomes and establish safety as a core organisational value.

Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer (NEBOSH)
Dee Arp is a Chartered member of IOSH and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors. Dee became a qualified health and safety practitioner 25 years ago whilst working at RoSPA.  As NEBOSH’s Chief Quality Officer, Dee has responsibility for providing leadership on qualification development and assessment and on all compliance matters. Dee is President of INSHPO and a RoSPA Ambassador and Head Judge of the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards.

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm (GMT+4)

Panel discussion: Recognition that counts: The real impact of winning a RoSPA Award 

Celebrating nearly 70 years of life-saving impact, this special panel brings together RoSPA’s Head of Awards and three award-winning GCC leaders. As the RoSPA Awards approach their landmark 70th anniversary in 2026, they’ll share how this global symbol of safety excellence has inspired pride, strengthened leadership, and why they believe every organisation should embrace the chance to enter.

Chair:
Ibtehal Hamed, International Consultant (RoSPA)

Panelists:
- Matt Cryer, Head of Awards (RoSPA)
Matt heads up the development and delivery of the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards - the leading and largest scheme of it's kind, which celebrates progression and excellence in workplace health and safety management. As well as coordinating the independent assessment and judging team who assess entry submissions, Matt regularly gives best practice advice on entry to the RoSPA awards at various forums and webinars throughout the year.
- Bilal Smadi, EHS Director (Xylem)
- Siyad Pottayil Mohammed, Head of Environment, Health, Safety & Quality (Etihad Airport Services)
An award-winning aviation quality, safety, and training professional, Siyad brings extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and sustainability, having worked for Oman Air, Transom and Etihad Airport Services. Specialised in airport and ground operations, cargo handling, and safety management, Siyad has led audits, training, and certifications including IOSA, ISAGO, ISO, CEIV, and RA3. With a data-driven mindset, he fosters safety culture, continuous improvement, and sustainable aviation practices.

3:45 pm - 4:00 pm (GMT+4)

Closing remarks

Becky Hickman, CEO (RoSPA) 

4:15 pm - 6:00 pm (GMT+4)

Networking reception