In this month’s instalment of the ‘Meet the Team’ series, we interview Steve Kearney, the Managing Partner at Gallowglass Health and Safety. Steve has been with the team since 2010, and plays a vital role in ensuring that all the events we work at comply to health and safety regulations! Discover more about him below:
What was your experience before joining the Gallowglass team?
I worked as a freelance technician in the Live events sector before joining a London based production company specialising in high end corporate and private parties and events. I worked in the operations team and gradually became more interested in Events Safety. I was approached by a competitor who offered me a role as Head of Operations with responsibility for developing a Safety Management System, which, for five years, I did. I then left and formed my own Consultancy and, after four years, in 2010, formed a partnerhip with the Directors at Gallowglass when Gallowglass Health and Safety LLP was born.
How long have you worked at Gallowglass?
I’ve been Managing Partner at Gallowglass Health and Safety since 2010.
What do you find most challenging about your role?
Seeing Advisors that we have recruited, trained and mentored leaving the Company to act as competitors (cheaply) after approaching clients that we had introduced them to. The main challenges, though, are always when we are brought into a project late or after major infrastructure decisions have already been agreed.
What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part is winning contracts and business that we know we can deliver. Often some of the more challenging opportunities, Rugby World Cup, Olympic Games, Champions League Finals, Lumiere etc. seem daunting and pretty scary, but I have supreme confidence in our team and I know we WILL deliver.
If your colleagues could describe you in three words, what would they be?
Moody (when we lose business or Liverpool FC lose), Positive and Driven.
Have you undertaken any training since joining the team?
All the team here are on a programme of CPD (Continuous Professional Development), but I have also furthered my knowledge by undertaking training in Fire Safety, Crowd Control, Autocad, Structural Engineering and trying to get more PC-literate.
How has your career progressed during your time at Gallowglass?
I haven’t personally progressed in my role since GGH&S was formed, but my skills and knowledge have improved since being part of a larger Group and learning from others within the business.
What was the most exciting event or project that you have been part of while working at Gallowglass?
There are a number of events/projects that I particularly feel proud of, delivering Rugby World Cup in 2015 was massive, being appointed sole Safety Consultants to the International Olympic Committee (and consulting on London 2012, Rio 2016, South Korea 2018 and now Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022) is also probably my proudest.
Setting up, and now seeing a successful Middle East operation based out of our new offices in Dubai is a huge step forward for the business, but I have a personal favourite, and that was delivering the Champions League Final in Kiev earlier this year. It was a busman’s holiday given that Liverpool were in the final… Just don’t mention the score!
Do you enjoy any hobbies outside of work?
Watching the Reds, playing Golf, spending precious time with the family.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Heading up the largest, most successful Events Safety Management Company in the World… watch this space!
If you’re looking to find out more about the Gallowglass team, then check out our blog posts to discover more about the work we do! Alternatively, if you are looking for event crew jobs in London, then take a look at the work we offer, or get in touch via our social media channels with any questions you have about our jobs and services!
